Telegram CEO Vows to Strengthen Platform Despite Controversy

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has addressed his 950 million users for the first time since his recent arrest in France. The arrest, linked to ongoing investigations, sparked significant debate and controversy. Durov used a Telegram post to clarify his position and reassure users about the platform’s future, particularly its expansion into crypto gaming.

Durov’s arrest followed a four-day police interview in Paris, where he faced allegations of potential responsibility for illegal activities conducted via Telegram. The French authorities, according to Durov, had not received responses from Telegram despite the company’s established EU representative and numerous communication channels.

In his statement, Durov expressed surprise at the charges, highlighting that Telegram has a dedicated representative in the EU and that French authorities had multiple avenues to contact him directly. He criticized the approach of holding a CEO accountable for third-party actions on the platform, arguing it is an outdated practice incompatible with modern technology.

The CEO emphasized the complexities of balancing privacy and security, noting that Telegram strives to reconcile privacy laws with law enforcement requirements while respecting local and EU regulations. He underscored the platform’s commitment to engaging with regulators and finding a workable balance between user privacy and security measures.

Durov reiterated Telegram’s readiness to leave markets that do not align with its principles, citing past instances where the platform faced bans in Russia and Iran due to its refusal to comply with government demands for surveillance and censorship. He defended Telegram’s dedication to user rights and its efforts to combat harmful content, despite the platform’s growing pains following its surge to 950 million users.