Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has released a statement following his arrest in France on allegations related to criminal activity taking place on the messaging platform. Durov acknowledged the need for enhanced safety measures on Telegram while maintaining the company's dedication to protecting user privacy. He expressed surprise at the charges brought against him, highlighting that Telegram has an official representative in the EU and channels for communication with law enforcement authorities.
In his Telegram post, Durov raised concerns about the use of outdated laws to hold CEOs responsible for third-party actions on their platforms. He argued that the current approach, particularly in the context of enabling criminal activity, was misguided. Durov emphasized the importance of striking a balance between user privacy and security needs, especially given the global reach of Telegram and the challenges posed by technological limitations and varying legal frameworks.
Addressing Telegram's exponential growth to 950 million users, Durov admitted that the platform had faced challenges in effectively moderating content, making it easier for criminals to exploit the platform. He pledged to work towards significant improvements in content moderation and safety measures, seeking to address the issues arising from the platform's rapid expansion. Durov also underscored Telegram's willingness to engage with regulators but asserted their readiness to exit markets that contradict the company's principles, citing instances where Telegram had faced bans in countries like Russia and Iran due to disagreements with authorities over privacy and security measures.