Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticizes 'misguided' French legal action, pledges platform improvements

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, has broken his silence following his arrest in France last month. Durov, known for his commitment to user privacy and free speech, has criticized the French authorities' approach to dealing with content moderation issues on his platform, calling it "misguided" and potentially harmful to digital innovation.

The Arrest and Charges

Durov, 39, was arrested on August 24 at Le Bourget airport outside Paris after arriving aboard a private jet. He was subsequently questioned for four days by investigators and charged with several counts of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram. The tech entrepreneur was granted conditional release on a bail of five million euros (US$5.5 million) and is required to report to a police station twice a week while remaining in France.

Durov's Response to the Charges

In his first public statement since the arrest, Durov expressed his surprise at being held personally responsible for content posted by third parties on Telegram. He argued that using pre-smartphone era laws to charge a CEO for crimes committed by users on the platform is a flawed approach.

"Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach," Durov stated in a lengthy post on Telegram.

Telegram's Efforts in Content Moderation

Contrary to claims that Telegram is an "anarchic paradise," Durov insisted that the platform takes active measures to combat harmful content. He revealed that Telegram removes millions of harmful posts and channels every day and publishes daily transparency reports.

"We take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day," Durov emphasized, countering accusations of lax moderation.

Communication Channels with Authorities

One of the key points of contention appears to be the communication between Telegram and French authorities. Durov claimed that Telegram has an official representative in the EU who accepts and responds to requests from European authorities. He also mentioned that he had personally helped establish a hotline with Telegram to address terrorism threats in France.

"The French authorities had numerous ways to reach me to request assistance. As a French citizen, I was a frequent guest at the French consulate in Dubai," Durov explained, highlighting the existing channels for cooperation.

Balancing Privacy and Security

Durov acknowledged the challenges in striking the right balance between user privacy and security requirements. He emphasized Telegram's commitment to engaging with regulators to find this balance while maintaining the platform's principles.

"Establishing the right balance between privacy and security is not easy. You have to reconcile privacy laws with law enforcement requirements, and local laws with EU laws," Durov stated, underlining the complexity of the issue.

Telegram's Growth and Associated Challenges

The Telegram CEO admitted that the platform's rapid growth to 950 million users worldwide has led to "growing pains" that made it easier for criminals to abuse the platform. This acknowledgment marks a significant step in addressing the concerns raised by authorities and critics.

"Telegram's abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform," Durov conceded, signaling a willingness to address these issues.

Commitment to Improvement

In response to these challenges, Durov has made a personal commitment to significantly improve Telegram's ability to combat platform abuse. He revealed that internal processes have already begun to enhance safety measures, with more details to be shared in the near future.

"That's why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard. We've already started that process internally, and I will share more details on our progress with you very soon," Durov promised.

The Broader Implications for Tech Regulation

The case against Durov and Telegram raises important questions about the future of tech regulation and the responsibilities of platform owners. It highlights the ongoing debate between the need for online safety and the preservation of user privacy and free speech.

Durov warned that holding CEOs personally responsible for user-generated content could stifle innovation in the tech sector. "No innovator will ever build new tools if they know they can be personally held responsible for potential abuse of those tools," he cautioned.

Support from Tech Industry Peers

Durov's situation has garnered support from fellow tech industry leaders. Notably, Elon Musk, the chief executive of X (formerly Twitter), has posted comments under the hashtag #FreePavel, indicating solidarity within the tech community against what they perceive as overreaching regulation.

Telegram's Stance on Government Demands

Throughout his statement, Durov reiterated Telegram's commitment to user privacy and its willingness to stand up to government demands that conflict with this principle. He cited past instances where Telegram refused to comply with requests from Russia and Iran, resulting in the app being banned in those countries.

"When Russia demanded we hand over 'encryption keys' to enable surveillance, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Russia. When Iran demanded we block channels of peaceful protesters, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Iran," Durov recounted, emphasizing the platform's principles.

The Future of Telegram and Content Moderation

As Telegram continues to grow and face increased scrutiny, the platform finds itself at a crossroads. Durov's commitment to improving safety measures while maintaining user privacy presents a challenging balancing act. The outcome of this situation could set important precedents for how messaging apps and social media platforms are regulated in the future.

Pavel Durov's response to the French charges against him and Telegram highlights the complex issues surrounding content moderation, user privacy, and platform responsibility in the digital age. As governments worldwide grapple with regulating online spaces, the tech industry faces the challenge of innovating while adhering to evolving legal requirements.

Durov's pledge to enhance Telegram's safety measures while defending the platform's core principles of privacy and free speech sets the stage for potential advancements in how social media platforms approach content moderation. The tech community and regulators alike will be watching closely to see how Telegram navigates these challenges and what implications this case may have for the broader digital landscape.

As the situation unfolds, it's clear that finding the right balance between online safety and digital rights will remain a critical issue for platforms, users, and regulators in the years to come.