Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been charged by a French investigative judge for enabling illegal transactions and complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to reports from NBC News and Le Monde, Durov was arrested in Paris on Saturday as part of a broader investigation into criminal activities on the Telegram platform, including the circulation of CSAM.
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The charges against Durov were formally detailed in a press release by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, shared on their official LinkedIn account. Following his arrest, Durov has been placed under judicial supervision with a €5 million bail and is prohibited from leaving France. In addition to the charges related to illegal transactions, Durov is also accused of refusing to cooperate with authorities and being complicit in the criminal distribution of CSAM.
The arrest occurred as Durov arrived in Paris, prompted by a warrant issued by France’s OFMIN agency, which focuses on preventing violence against minors. An official from OFMIN cited Telegram’s “lack of moderation and cooperation” as the catalyst for the investigation. The judge ordered Durov's release from police custody on Wednesday morning, ahead of his first court appearance and potential indictment, according to a statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office as reported by The Associated Press.
Telegram responded on Sunday, stating that Durov has “nothing to hide” and labeling the accusations of platform abuse by users as “absurd.” While Telegram serves as a major source of information in countries with restricted media, such as Russia, it is also criticized for being a platform where terrorists and other criminals operate freely due to minimal moderation policies.
Durov and Telegram are known for their hands-off approach to content moderation, intervening only when external pressures, such as government regulations, mandate it.
Update, August 29th: A link to the Paris Prosecutor’s press release detailing the charges has been added for reference.
