Pavel Durov, founding father of the messaging utility Telegram, supplied an replace concerning his ongoing case in France, and stated the prison investigation towards him is “struggling” to seek out any proof of wrongdoing.
Durov stated his arrest by French authorities in August 2024 was “unprecedented” and added that holding a tech govt accountable for the actions of impartial customers was “legally and logically absurd,” in a Telegram put up on Sunday. Durov added:
“A yr later, the ‘prison investigation’ towards me continues to be struggling to seek out something that I or Telegram did improper. Our moderation practices align with business requirements, and Telegram has at all times responded to each legally binding request from France.”
“One yr after this unusual arrest, I nonetheless should return to France each 14 days, with no enchantment date in sight,” he continued, whereas additionally warning that the French authorities has performed irreparable harm to France’s picture as a free nation.
The arrest of Durov sparked widespread condemnation from the crypto neighborhood, human rights teams, and free speech activists, who accused the French authorities of arresting the Telegram founder to strain him into censoring the platform.
Associated: One yr since Durov’s arrest: What’s occurred and what’s forward?
Pavel Durov’s arrest creates huge backlash towards the French authorities
Durov was charged and initially barred from leaving France in reference to a probe into the Telegram platform’s content material moderation insurance policies, with French regulation enforcement officers accusing the platform of internet hosting dangerous content material.
French President Emmanuel Macron denied the arrest was politically motivated, triggering a torrent of censorship accusations and criticism from the crypto neighborhood.
“In a state ruled by the rule of regulation, freedoms are upheld inside a authorized framework, each on social media and in actual life, to guard residents and respect their basic rights,” Macron wrote in a translated August 26 X put up.
Mert Mumtaz, CEO of node supplier Helius, responded to Macron by asking: “Why aren’t you personally in jail for not controlling 100% of all crime in France?”
Durov has repeatedly stated that Telegram complies with all authorized regulation enforcement requests and maintains that the corporate will exit a jurisdiction earlier than succumbing to censorship pressures.
The Telegram platform is not going to compromise consumer privateness by handing over encryption keys or constructing backdoors into the messaging utility, Durov stated.
Journal: Did Telegram’s Pavel Durov commit against the law? Crypto attorneys weigh in
