Telegram Founder Durov Calls French Legal Pressure Unprecedented and Absurd

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has condemned the ongoing legal proceedings against him in France as “legally and logically absurd,” highlighting what he claims are procedural flaws and a lack of substantive evidence [1]. Arrested in August 2024, Durov has been under investigation for allegedly enabling organized crime through the platform, a charge he vehemently denies. He maintains that Telegram adheres to legal standards, complies with binding data requests, and operates with moderation practices consistent with industry norms [3].

Durov criticized French authorities for bypassing formal legal procedures when requesting user data, calling it a “mistake” that undermines trust in the process [3]. He emphasized that holding a CEO accountable for the actions of independent users sets a dangerous precedent. “Arresting a CEO of a major platform over the actions of its users was not only unprecedented — it was legally and logically absurd,” Durov stated in a recent post [2].

The founder also noted that he is required to return to France every 14 days for legal proceedings, yet no appeal date has been set. He described this requirement as “strange” and suggested it reflects a lack of legal clarity [1]. Durov argued that the case has already caused “irreparable damage” to France’s reputation as a country that upholds freedom [2].

The legal battle has drawn widespread criticism from free speech advocates and the cryptocurrency community, who view it as an attempt to pressure Durov into compromising Telegram’s privacy policies. Durov has consistently refused to comply with demands to surrender encryption keys or enable backdoors, positioning Telegram as a symbol of resistance against government overreach in digital spaces [3].

French officials maintain that the investigation is not politically motivated and that the legal system must uphold freedom while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the legal process must function within a framework that supports liberty. However, critics, including Helius CEO Mert Mumtaz, have questioned why Macron himself is not held accountable for failing to control crime [2].

The case underscores a broader global debate on the balance between digital rights and regulatory oversight. French authorities argue that platforms like Telegram must take responsibility for preventing the spread of illegal content, while Durov insists that user-generated content cannot be controlled or predicted by a platform. This tension reflects the challenges faced by governments in regulating digital ecosystems without infringing on user privacy.

The ongoing case has also raised questions about the legitimacy and transparency of the legal process. Durov’s public statements and strategic media engagement suggest an effort to draw international attention to what he sees as a test of digital sovereignty and legal integrity. Without concrete evidence of wrongdoing, the continuation of the investigation risks being perceived as an overreach [1].

As the case unfolds, the outcome may have broader implications for how digital platforms interact with governments. Durov has indicated that Telegram would rather leave a jurisdiction than submit to unreasonable demands, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to user privacy and digital freedom [3].

Source:

[1] Telegram founder Pavel Durov says case going nowhere ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/pavel-durov-case-going-nowhere-slams-french-gov)

[2] Pavel Durov Slams French Government Over ... (https://www.ainvest.com/news/pavel-durov-slams-french-government-unprecedented-legal-pressure-2508/)

[3] BTCUSD - Telegram founder Pavel Durov says case going ... (https://mx.advfn.com/bolsa-de-valores/COIN/BTCUSD/crypto-news/96693425/telegram-founder-pavel-durov-says-case-going-nowhe)