Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Charged with App-Related Violations in France
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Loading... - Jeffery Watt
- 29 Aug 2024
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The French judiciary has charged Pavel Durov, the chief of Telegram, with several serious violations related to the use of the messaging app. Durov was charged with offenses that include complicity in the administration of an online platform for illicit transactions, dissemination of child pornography images, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. Despite these charges, Durov was granted conditional release after posting bail of five million euros, with the stipulation that he must remain in France, report to a police station twice a week, and is prohibited from leaving the country.
The charges stem from an investigation initiated by French authorities in February 2024, following concerns about Telegram's lack of cooperation with legal requests. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, highlighted that Telegram had largely failed to respond to requests from the authorities, prompting the investigation and subsequent charges against Durov.
Durov's lawyer, David-Olivier Kaminski, has dismissed the charges as absurd, arguing that it is unreasonable to hold the head of a social network responsible for criminal activities conducted on the platform. Kaminski asserted that Telegram complies with European digital technology regulations and defended Durov against the accusations.
The case is likely to draw significant attention, given Telegram's widespread use and the serious nature of the charges involved.
