Telegram claims arrested CEO Durov has ‘nothing to hide’

Messaging app Telegram has stated that its CEO, Pavel Durov, who was detained in France on Saturday, has “nothing to hide.” Durov was arrested at an airport north of Paris under a warrant related to allegations about the app, including insufficient moderation and failure to curb criminal uses. Telegram has defended its moderation practices as being in line with industry standards and improving continuously, arguing that it is unreasonable to hold the platform or its owner responsible for misuse.

The investigation reportedly concerns Telegram’s alleged lack of cooperation with law enforcement over issues such as drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram emphasized that it complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that it is used by nearly a billion people globally for communication and information.

Durov’s detention, which was extended on Sunday and could last up to 96 hours, has drawn attention from Russian officials. Durov, born in Russia and currently residing in Dubai, holds citizenship of both the UAE and France. Russia has criticized the French authorities for not cooperating with Russian officials and is seeking clarification on the reasons for Durov’s arrest.

Telegram, which was banned in Russia in 2018 but had the ban reversed in 2021, faces criticism for its role in moderating content, particularly for allegedly allowing the spread of misinformation and extremist content. The app has also been scrutinized in the UK for hosting far-right channels linked to recent violent disorder. Cybersecurity experts have noted that Telegram’s moderation of extremist and illegal content is less robust compared to other major social media platforms.