Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested. French authorities have indicted him on charges of serious offense. This includes complicity in the distribution of child pornography among others. The arrest is based on an investigation launched by a magistrate on July 8.
The prosecutor Laure Beccuau charged him with 12 counts for alleged money laundering, drug trafficking, and fraud. He also had to face some other allegations of illegal online activities. Currently, Pavel Durov is in jail until today.
The arrest has sparked debate over platform responsibility. For its part, Telegram says it complies with EU laws and should not be held responsible for platform abuse. Elon Musk and Edward Snowden are among the critics who consider the arrest to have been politically motivated.
French President Emmanuel Macron took to X, to address concerns. He denied that the arrest was politically driven. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to freedom of expression and respect for the rule of law. He reaffirmed that the magistrature would work independently to uphold legal standards.
The case once again shines a light on debates about accountability for tech leaders. As Durov remains in custody, the situation is still developing. The world of technology watches closely as this case develops.
