"Recognizing Critical Public Opinion... Strengthening Management of Illegal Activities"
"Not a Lawless Land... Prosecuting Platform CEOs, Wrong Approach"
Telegram founder Pavel Durov. [Image source=Wikipedia]
Recently arrested by French authorities, Pavel Durov, the CEO, expressed his intention to strengthen the management of illegal activities on Telegram. However, he also emphasized that the French authorities should have sued the company first for arresting him.
According to NBC News on the 6th (local time), CEO Durov stated through his Telegram channel, "If a country has complaints about an internet service, it is customary to take legal action against the service itself." This is the first time since his arrest by French authorities last month that Durov has made a statement on the matter.
He argued, "It is a wrong approach to prosecute the CEO of a platform for crimes committed by third parties within the platform under laws from the pre-smartphone era." French authorities have provisionally indicted Durov on charges of conspiring to commit crimes, alleging that he refused to comply with investigative authorities' requests for information related to the distribution of child pornography and drug trafficking on Telegram.
CEO Durov expressed surprise that the French authorities initiated an investigation into the app without following procedures, despite having access to a 'hotline' or being able to contact Telegram's EU representatives at any time.
He also denied allegations that Telegram is an "anarchic paradise," stating that Telegram blocks millions of harmful posts and channels daily.
Furthermore, he acknowledged public criticism regarding Telegram's lack of oversight and expressed his intention to improve the management of criminal activities. He said, "My personal goal is to significantly improve the situation in this regard."
Telegram is known for its high security in private chats and for not properly responding to government requests related to illegal activities. However, following CEO Durov's remarks, there is analysis suggesting that Telegram may change its previously passive stance toward illegal third-party posts. After being arrested by local police at a French airport late last month, Durov was released on bail of 5 million euros (approximately 7.4 billion KRW) and is currently prohibited from leaving the country.
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