As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen interest in tech companies and their impact on society, I find myself closely following the recent developments involving Pavel Durov and Telegram. Having navigated through various market cycles and witnessed numerous regulatory battles, my perspective is informed by both experience and a healthy dose of skepticism.
Pavel Durov, the creator behind the social media platform and messaging app Telegram, shared a message on his account following his arrest in France.
Durov expressed gratitude to his followers for their backing and shared that French authorities questioned him for a span of four days. He found the accusations against him, as well as the circumstances, rather surprising, given that – as he noted in a post – Telegram already has an official representative in the European Union who typically handles such requests.
Absolutely, we remain committed to our core values, which have been molded by our objective of safeguarding our users in countries with restrictive governments. However, we’ve consistently welcomed discussions and dialogue.
He added that Telegram is in contact with regulators to find the right balance between privacy and security and that many malicious channels and posts are removed daily. However, the messenger is still flawed: authorities may get confused about where to send requests, which needs improvement.
The businessman confirms that Telegram routinely deletes numerous harmful messages and channels every day, releases regular transparency reports, and maintains rapid communication lines with NGOs for prompt handling of critical moderation issues.
According to Durov, the swift expansion of Telegram users has resulted in “growing discomforts” that have facilitated criminal activity on the platform. In response, he’s personally committed to making substantial enhancements.
Telegram updates its policy amid problems in France
After Durov’s detention, the Telegram team revised their policy, enabling users to flag suspicious content within private conversations to moderators for review.
Earlier, their policy stated that most Telegram chats (including individual and group ones) were considered private, with the exception of channels and bots. According to an archived version of the webpage, the administration does not handle any requests concerning these areas.
In this part, it’s mentioned that every Telegram group comes equipped with a “Report” feature which enables users to swiftly flag inappropriate content to moderators by simply tapping or holding on a message. From there, a menu pops up, displaying the location of this button for easy access.
As per the information on their FAQ, Telegram’s policies have been revised. Effective September 5th, it is stated that they do not handle request regarding individual chats.
Six counts and €5 million bail
Durov faces charges on six different points, such as aiding an organized criminal network, operating an online platform for illicit transactions, withholding information from official entities when required, and engaging in financial laundering activities.
On August 28th, Durov was granted release from custody, subject to specific terms. To maintain his freedom for as long as possible, he needs to adhere to three stipulations: pay a bail bond of €5 million, check in with the police every week, and keep his current residence unchanged. He is free to select his own location, but it’s mandatory that he informs law enforcement about this address. This situation isn’t classified as house arrest – Durov can still leave his home, however, he is not allowed to change his registered address.
Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has been released from custody by an investigative judge ahead of his initial court appearance in France.
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) August 28, 2024
The investigation concerning the Telegram owner’s case might take multiple months to complete. Once finished, investigators will determine if they should dismiss the case entirely or forward it to criminal court for potential reclassification of the alleged crimes. If sent to criminal court, the presiding judges will then decide whether to close the case immediately or set a hearing date.
Once the investigating judges believe they have concluded their inquiry, which may span several months, the case will be officially closed. If the prosecutor’s office considers it appropriate, they will either decide to close the case or reclassify the alleged crimes and forward the case to the criminal court. Subsequently, the investigating judges will issue a ruling to close the case or arrange for a hearing.
Moreover, as reported by Politico, Durov declined offers of diplomatic aid from both Russia and the UAE. Specifically, he turned down consular support from Russia and visits from a UAE consulate representative. However, he chose to maintain open communication with the UAE embassy.
We are in touch with the French authorities about this case and Pavel Durov’s representatives.
Is Telegram guilty or not?
In numerous aspects, determining if Telegram is at fault can seem more like a hypothetical discussion than an actual debate, given its extensive user base approaching a billion people. This vast number necessitates a large workforce for content moderation, considering the colossal amount of data being handled.
Fundamentally, Telegram lacked effective content regulation until its significant expansion, a matter of minimal concern for governments globally prior to this growth spurt.
As an analyst, I find myself in a position where I must clarify that while companies can aid law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and drug trafficking, it’s not their primary responsibility. However, as a platform with nearly a billion users, we have become a subject of interest, and the pressure upon us has grown significantly.
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2024-09-06 16:38