Messaging app Telegram is embroiled in a legal battle with French authorities following the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, at a French airport on Sunday. The arrest stems from a criminal complaint alleging insufficient content moderation practices on the platform.
Telegram maintains it fully complies with European Union (EU) laws, including the recently enacted Digital Services Act (DSA). In a statement released yesterday, the company emphasized its commitment to “industry standard” moderation practices that are “constantly improving.” They further defended Durov, stating, “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.”
This statement comes amidst reports that French prosecutors are seeking to hold Durov and Telegram accountable for criminal activity allegedly planned or disseminated on the platform. A formal charge sheet remains unpublished, but early media reports suggest a potential link between this activity and Telegram’s moderation practices.
Telegram strongly refutes this notion, calling it “absurd” to blame platforms or their owners for user abuse. The company claims the arrest is part of a broader trend, pointing to a March 2024 post by Durov himself where he predicted facing challenges over content moderation.
Durov noted in the post that large social media platforms inevitably attract criticism. He cited Meta (formerly Facebook) as an example, highlighting the company’s negative media coverage regarding moderation despite exceeding a trillion-dollar valuation.
The crypto community has rallied behind Durov. Tron founder Justin Sun publicly offered $1 million to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) dedicated to securing Durov’s release, provided it operates with “decentralized structure and substantial community support.”
Also Read: Telegram CEO Detained In France – Justin Sun Proposes FreePavel DAO
While the situation unfolds, the price of Telegram’s associated cryptocurrency, Toncoin (TON), has shown resilience, currently down only 2.45% in the last 24 hours (data from CoinDesk Indices).
This developing story raises questions about the balance between platform responsibility and user freedom within the landscape of online content moderation. As Telegram and French authorities clash, the crypto community and users worldwide await further developments.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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