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The CEO of Telegram has been released from police custody in Paris after being detained over allegations that his messaging platform is used for criminal activity.

What’s the deal: French prosecutors have accused Pavel Durov of being complicit in enabling criminal activities on his messaging platform, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and organized fraud. Authorities claim Telegram refused to comply with law enforcement requests, which obstructed investigations.

Another view: Despite claims by French authorities, some have argued that Western authorities are targeting Durov for refusing to grant intelligence agencies a “back door” to the platform. Critics suggest that this refusal has led to increased scrutiny and legal pressure from Western governments, who view Telegram’s strong privacy protections as an obstacle to national security. There are also claims that Durov’s arrest is an “attack on free speech.”

Telegram’s view: In a previous statement, Telegram said they “abide by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information.”

Macron addresses criticism: French President Emmanuel Macron has addressed the arrest of Pavol and claims that it was politically motivated. In a statement on X, he said, “I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov. France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so. In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights. It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law. The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as 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.”

In response, Elon Musk replied, “It would be helpful to the global public to understand more details about why he was arrested.”