Telegram CEO’s Arrest is Not Political, Claims French President: Tech Leaders Disagree

• Macron addresses criticism over Durov’s arrest. 
• Telegram’s CEO was arrested on multiple charges.
• The crypto community heavily criticized the arrest.

The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France has ignited a global debate on digital rights. While authorities raised concerns about the proliferation of illegal content on the platform, others saw a different motive in the arrest. 

Notably, several prominent industry leaders and activists condemned France for an attack on free speech and privacy. In response, the French President took to social media to respond, denying any personal involvement.   

Macron Addresses Telegram CEO Arrest

The mounting reactions over the Telegram CEO’s arrest were impossible to ignore even for the French President.  On Monday, August 26, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the growing criticism over the arrest of Pavel Durov. 

Macron claimed that the arrest was not politically motivated, reaffirming the judiciary’s independence in the matter. The arrest, he maintained, was “part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter,” Macron stated.

Durov Arrested Over Lack of Telegram Moderation

The Telegram founder and CEO was detained two days prior as part of an ongoing judicial investigation in France. The investigation involves several serious charges , including involvement in child pornography distribution, drug offenses, organized fraud, and money laundering.

Durov is also accused of refusing to cooperate with authorities on lawful interception requests and complicity in cybercrime tool distribution. These charges stem from Telegram’s lax content moderation practices and its alleged use by criminals. 

Criticism Over Arrest Mounts

The arrest of Pavel Durov has generated significant attention, particularly among those concerned with digital rights and privacy. Among the most vocal critics were Edward Snowden, Vitalik Buterin, and Elon Musk, who tweeted #FreePavel on his platform. 

Privacy advocate Edward Snowden condemned the arrest as a violation of basic human rights. He described the situation as an “assault on the basic human rights of speech and association” and accused the French President of using extreme measures to access private communications.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, also voiced his concerns , emphasizing the importance of privacy and freedom in the digital space. Buterin, who has previously criticized Telegram for its approach to encryption , now stands in solidarity with Durov. 

On the Flipside

• Critics argue that Durov should be held accountable for Telegram’s role in facilitating criminal activities due to insufficient content moderation. 
• While Telegram doesn’t enable end-to-end encryption by default, European authorities called for a ban on the technology . They cited public safety concerns on social media platforms. 

Why This Matters

The arrest of Pavel Durov highlights the growing tension between governments and tech companies over the content on digital platforms. 

Read more about the arrest’s effect on Telegram-integrated Toncoin. 
TON Plunges 20% on Reports of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Arrest in France

Read more about how to safely use Telegram: 
Are Your Telegram Messages Safe After CEO Arrested?