Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticises France after arrest
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly commented for the first time since his arrest in France in August.
In a statement on his Telegram channel, Durov expressed surprise at the arrest, noting that the French authorities could have contacted him through various channels.
He pointed out that Telegram has a legal representative in France to handle regulatory requests and stated he is a regular visitor to the French Consulate in Dubai.
Durov, who is prohibited from leaving France and must check in weekly with law enforcement, criticised the decision to target him personally rather than the company.
He emphasised that Telegram is willing to withdraw from markets that contradict its mission to uphold free speech and expression.
"We are prepared to leave markets that aren’t compatible with our principles because we are not doing this for money.
We are driven by the intention to bring good and defend the basic rights of people, particularly in places where these rights are violated," Durov stated.
Following Durov’s arrest, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement denying that the arrest was politically motivated.
However, his comments sparked widespread criticism, with many perceiving the action as an attack on free speech.
This backlash prompted reactions from various sectors, including the TON Society and industry executives, who demanded Durov's release.
Chris Pavlovski, founder and CEO of the video platform Rumble, also condemned the arrest, warning other tech founders focused on free speech about operating in France.
"France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech," Pavlovski said after leaving Europe.
He vowed that Rumble would use "all available means" to fight against censorship and defend freedom of speech.
The situation has raised significant concerns within the tech industry regarding regulatory actions and their impact on the principles of free expression.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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