Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained in France as Authorities Launch Preliminary Investigation Into the Encrypted Messaging Platform

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has been detained by authorities in France. The detention is connected to a search warrant alleging violations of the encrypted messaging platform.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been detained by French authorities in connection with a search warrant alleging violations of the encrypted messaging platform.

French media, including Le Monde, reported the arrest upon Durov's arrival from Azerbaijan in his private jet at Le Bourget airport, situated north of Paris. Le Monde’s report, citing sources familiar with the matter, confirmed Durov's arrest.

Moreover, Bloomberg highlighted a Telegram post by Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who verified the arrest, adding further credibility to the narrative.

French authorities have initiated a preliminary investigation into Telegram, with L’Office Mineurs (OFMIN), the agency responsible for monitoring crimes against minors, issuing a search warrant.

According to AFP, the probe covers a wide range of alleged misdeeds, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime activity enabled by the site. The examination stems from concerns about Telegram's insufficient content control methods.

The Office of Financial Market Integrity (OFMIN) is spearheading the inquiry against Durov. According to reports, Durov was expected to appear in court on Aug. 25. Given the gravity of the offenses committed, the accusation against him could carry a 20-year jail sentence.

Despite Durov's legal troubles, third-party blockchain system TON, which is integrated with Telegram, continues to operate as usual. A recent statement from TON's official X account confirmed the protocol's stability and highlighted the positive response from the community amid the current events. Telegram has yet to comment on the founder's detention.

Following the recent news related to the Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov, we want to assure everyone that the TON community remains strong and fully operational.

As a community committed to freedom of speech and decentralization, we stand firmly…

— TON ? (@ton_blockchain) August 24, 2024

“Statement from the TON Community Following the recent news related to the Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov, we want to assure everyone that the TON community remains strong and fully operational. As a community committed to freedom of speech and decentralization, we stand firmly with Pavel during this challenging time.

“Pavel has been a dedicated advocate for these values, and we believe his efforts to promote an open and decentralized internet will continue to inspire millions.”

After reports emerged about Durov's arrest in France, the Telegram-linked TON token experienced a sharp decline of up to 17%. At the latest update, TON is trading slightly above $5.72, marking a 15% drop in just a few hours.

On Aug. 24, Tesla CEO and X platform owner Elon Musk showed his support for Durov by posting a past interview between Durov and independent journalist Tucker Carlson on his social media, adding the hashtag #FreePavel.

#FreePavel pic.twitter.com/B7AcJWswMs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 25, 2024

In a recent video statement, Durov praised Musk's acquisition of Twitter, describing it as a beneficial move for technological advancement and the promotion of free speech.

Highlighting the issue further, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin responded to an X post by American entrepreneur and investor Balaji Srinivasan. Despite Buterin's past public criticism of Telegram's encryption policies, he expressed grave concerns about the latest accusations against the platform.

He noted the possible future implications for the freedom of software and communication in Europe, describing the initial elements as “very bad and worrying.”

As the narrative began to gain traction on social media, with Telegram trending on platform X, several prominent figures shared their analysis.

Among them, Robert Kennedy Jr., the American politician who suspended his presidential campaign in August 2024, highlighted that Durov's arrest underlined the critical importance of protecting platforms dedicated to free speech and privacy.

The above is the detailed content of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained in France as Authorities Launch Preliminary Investigation Into the Encrypted Messaging Platform. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!