Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has spoken out for the first time since French authorities targeted him, pledging to address criminal activity on the messaging service in his initial public remarks following his charges of facilitating illegal behavior on the platform.
In a Telegram message posted late Thursday, Durov expressed his belief that he should not have been singled out by the French court’s investigation. He argued against the use of outdated legislation targeting CEOs for crimes committed by third parties on their platforms, stating that holding innovators personally responsible for the misuse of their tools would stifle technological advancement.
While acknowledging that Telegram is not a lawless environment, Durov admitted that the rapid growth in user numbers has made it easier for criminals to exploit the platform. He emphasized his commitment to improving security measures and combatting illicit activity on Telegram, promising to provide updates on their progress in the near future.
Durov was detained by French authorities at Le Bourget airport near Paris in August and questioned for four days as part of a wider investigation initiated earlier in the year. He was released on bail of 5 million euros and is required to check in with police twice a week. Despite being of Russian origin, Durov holds French citizenship.
The French allegations against Durov include accusations that Telegram is used to traffic drugs and child sexual abuse content, and that the company refuses to cooperate with law enforcement when requested. Durov refuted these claims, stating that Telegram has proper channels for reporting illegal content and providing information to authorities as required by law.
During his police interrogation, Durov was informed that he could be held personally responsible for the unlawful activities of Telegram users due to the company’s lack of cooperation with French authorities. He expressed surprise at this assertion, noting that Telegram has established mechanisms for authorities to reach out for assistance and that he had previously worked with French officials to address security concerns.
He highlighted Telegram’s public email contact for an EU representative, user reporting tools for illicit material, and designated contact information for competent EU and EU member authorities. Durov emphasized that if a country has concerns about an internet service, the typical course of action is to take legal action against the service itself, rather than targeting individual executives.
In conclusion, Durov reiterated his commitment to enhancing safety measures on Telegram and working with law enforcement agencies to combat criminal behavior on the platform. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between technology companies and regulatory authorities to ensure the responsible use of online services while fostering innovation and development in the digital landscape.
