As a seasoned researcher with years of experience in the digital space, I find myself closely following the developments surrounding Telegram, a messaging app that has been making waves globally. The recent investigations against Telegram in South Korea and France raise concerns about its role in facilitating illegal activities, particularly sexual crimes and the spread of explicit content.
A probe has started in South Korea, parallel to the allegations faced by Telegram in France.
According to Yonhap News Agency, quoting the police, Telegram is being accused of assisting in sexual crimes. The head of South Korea’s National Police Investigation Agency, Woo Jong-soo, stated that Telegram is not cooperating by providing essential data for the investigation, such as user account details.
In South Korea, it’s reported that authorities are investigating Telegram for the first time. The probe centers around eight bots producing explicit sexual content and channels disseminating these images. Over a four-day period from August 26th to 29th, police received 88 complaints and identified 24 potential offenders.
South Korean law enforcement officials are eager to collaborate with their French counterparts. They mention that this issue is also a concern for officials in other nations, such as the United States.
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Telegram Blocked in Indonesia
Based on reports from Jakarta Globe following an investigation in France, it was stated by the Indonesian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Budi Arie Setiadi, that Indonesian officials are contemplating a move to restrict access to Telegram within the nation.
According to the minister’s statement, there are worries among the officials regarding the dissemination of illicit material on the messaging app Telegram. This includes claims that Pavel Durov’s initiative may be contributing to the proliferation of online betting activities and sharing explicit content.
It’s my preference to close Bigo Live and Telegram right away, however, it seems we need more time for additional research by our team before we can do so.
As reported, the Indonesian administration has made multiple requests to both Telegram and Bigo Live’s management teams regarding enhancement of their content moderation strategies. Yet, it remains crucial for these entities to establish stronger measures to comply with the demands set by the country’s regulatory body.
The investigation against Telegram in France
It’s been reported that the creator of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was taken into custody in France. He is currently facing accusations involving conspiracy for acts of sexual exploitation against minors, drug trafficking, and multiple other crimes that allegedly took place due to the platform’s ability to maintain anonymity.
Following a four-day detention, Durov was granted bail set at €5 million, restricted from leaving France, and instructed to check in with the police every other week.
🚨Breaking news 🚨
Durov – Telegram founder was released on bail of 5 million €.
— Klatsch News 𝕏🪽 (@CryptoKlatsch) August 28, 2024
Telegram asserts that their moderation adheres to required standards, their messaging service follows European Union regulations, and it’s illogical to attribute user misconduct to the platform’s creator.
New details of Durov’s interrogation
Previously, according to a source familiar with the case, The Liberation newspaper stated that Durov admitted, during questioning in Paris, that he had been in contact with officials from the French Ministry of the Interior’s Internal Security General Directorate.
According to the article, it is stated that the founder of the messenger service is said to have established a direct line with French counter-espionage, as part of their anti-terrorism efforts. This involves a specific hotline and unique email address. Information shared through this communication channel helped thwart multiple terrorist plots.
As reported by Liberation, Durov consented to collaborate with the relevant law enforcement bodies following his apprehension and handed over his mobile device along with the passcode for it.
Yet, the details revealed in the Liberation article remain unverified, as neither French investigators nor Pavel Durov have publicly acknowledged or refuted them.
Telegram accumulates crypto assets
As an analyst, I’ve uncovered some intriguing insights regarding Telegram’s cryptocurrency holdings. According to reports from the Financial Times (FT), Telegram had approximately $400 million in various cryptocurrencies by 2023. The FT further disclosed that in the subsequent year of 2024, Telegram offloaded Toncoin (TON) valued over $244 million.
Furthermore, last year saw the company earning approximately $342 million in revenue, incurring operational losses amounting to around $108 million, and total losses of roughly $173 million following tax deductions. Additionally, Telegram secured about $2.4 billion in debt financing, which will be due for repayment in 2026.
Telegram’s crypto initiatives continue to develop
In December 2022, Telegram’s plans to develop financial tools based on their social network picked up speed when Durov announced them. He unveiled features for trading and safekeeping cryptocurrencies. The team’s vision encompassed creating wallets for storing cryptocurrencies without the need for intermediaries, as well as decentralized platforms for exchanging these digital currencies.
In response to the fall of the centralized cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, in November 2022, Durov’s initiative proposed a shift back towards the original, decentralized principles of the crypto industry. However, it would have been helpful for the developer to provide a clear timeline as to when these new tools associated with his messenger service would become available on the market.
As developers, let’s guide the blockchain sector towards a more decentralized future by creating swift and user-friendly decentralized apps that cater to the general public. Remarkably, such ventures are now achievable in our current technological landscape.
After that point, Telegram has been increasingly establishing itself as a utility for cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi). Now, the messaging platform includes its own cryptocurrency wallet, offers mini-games to earn cryptocurrencies, and many other features.
Following Durov’s detention in France, there were worries within the community regarding the future progress of the messaging service. Nevertheless, the Telegram team assured everyone they had a contingency plan in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
What will happen to Telegram?
The concerns about the messenger are primarily related to the problem of content moderation, which is why, according to the authorities, the messenger is actively used by criminals.
Following the allegations in France, there’s a possibility that other nations might intensify their scrutiny of Telegram’s operations. Yet, at present, Durov has not faced any additional accusations in this matter.
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2024-09-02 20:42