Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Reacts to His Arrest and Discusses Free Speech on the Platform
Telegram CEO's Unexpected Arrest
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov returned to the messaging platform Thursday, expressing surprise over his arrest by French authorities amid a criminal investigation related to activities on Telegram.
Criminal Activity and Free Speech
Durov was arrested at a Paris airport due to ongoing investigations into suspected offenses on Telegram, raising questions about the balance between free speech and criminal activity online. He acknowledged the platform’s rapid growth, stating it created growing pains that criminals took advantage of.
Commitment to User Privacy
- Pavel Durov highlighted his dedication to enhancing user safety.
- Telegram faced criticism for its use by extremist groups, which Durov aims to address.
- Durov stressed that the app's vision is to shield users from authoritarian governments.
Controversy Over Responsibility
In his statement, Durov contended that holding him personally accountable for third-party actions on the platform is inappropriate. He reaffirmed that Telegram will not compromise on privacy and has previously exited markets that conflicted with their principles.
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