Pavel Durov, the founder and owner of Telegram, was arrested by French authorities on August 24, 2024, at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. The arrest generated significant media attention and raised concerns among international politicians and public figures.
French authorities detained Durov as part of an investigation related to insufficient control over illegal content on the Telegram platform. Specifically, he is accused of failing to prevent the spread of content associated with child pornography, drug trafficking, and financial crimes. Telegram representatives stated that the company complies with EU laws and continually improves its content moderation practices, emphasizing that Durov “has nothing to hide” (UPI, SecurityWeek).
Pavel Durov (Фото: Global Look Press)
French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that Durov’s arrest was not politically motivated and that the investigation is being conducted within the framework of an independent judicial system. However, the arrest has sparked concerns among free speech advocates, including notable figures like Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy Jr., who have expressed their support for Durov (Fox Business).
At present, Durov remains in custody, and a court is expected to decide his fate in the near future. The Russian government has expressed dissatisfaction with the arrest and has requested clarification from French authorities.
Will Telegram be blocked?
The question of whether Telegram might be blocked arises periodically in various countries due to its controversial reputation as a platform with a high level of privacy. In the past, some countries, including Russia and Iran, have attempted to restrict access to Telegram, accusing the platform of refusing to cooperate with law enforcement and failing to curb illegal activities.
Given the current situation with Pavel Durov’s arrest in France, it becomes evident that threats of blocking could become relevant again if Telegram does not cooperate with authorities in combating criminal activities on the platform. However, blocking such a large and popular platform with nearly a billion users would likely cause significant public dissatisfaction and could lead to political and social consequences, making this step unlikely in the short term.
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What will happen to Telegram if Pavel Durov hands over encryption keys?
If Pavel Durov were to hand over encryption keys to authorities, it would deal a significant blow to Telegram’s reputation as a platform that provides a high level of privacy. Users who value anonymity and security may lose trust in the service and start looking for alternatives. This could also lead to a decline in users and reduced activity on the platform.
On the other hand, such actions could ease pressure from governments and regulators who accuse Telegram of failing to combat illegal activities. However, this would contradict the principles that Durov and Telegram have upheld since the platform’s inception.
Will Pavel Durov surrender the encryption keys?
Considering Pavel Durov’s past behavior, it is unlikely that he will voluntarily hand over encryption keys. Durov is known for his principled refusal to cooperate with authorities, which already led to his departure from Russia in 2014 and to international conflicts surrounding Telegram. His arrest in France may increase pressure, but there is reason to believe that he will continue to resist despite the potential consequences.
Is Telegram the safest?
Telegram is positioned as one of the most secure messengers due to its use of encryption and privacy policies. However, in practice, Telegram’s security is often criticized. For example, experts point out that standard chats in Telegram are not encrypted end-to-end by default, making them less secure compared to competitors like Signal or WhatsApp.
Nevertheless, Telegram offers features that can enhance security, such as secret chats and self-destructing messages. The question of security depends on how users utilize the platform and what precautions they take.
Will Pavel Durov be released?
The question of whether Pavel Durov will be released remains open. French authorities have extended his detention by 96 hours, and at the end of this period, the court will need to decide whether Durov will remain in custody or be released.
On the one hand, significant international pressure, including from well-known free speech advocates, could contribute to his release. On the other hand, if French authorities find that Durov and Telegram are indeed not fulfilling their obligations to combat illegal content, this could lead to serious legal consequences for Durov and further investigation.
The final decision will depend on how convincing the arguments of the prosecution and defense are, as well as how the court values issues of digital security and platform responsibility for their use in illegal activities.
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