Surprise offer from Macron to Telegram founder Durov: Move the headquarters to Paris
It has been reported that French President Emmanuel Macron proposed to Telegram founder Pavel Durov in 2018 that he move the company's headquarters to Paris.
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According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) citing its sources, French President Emmanuel Macron invited Telegram founder Pavel Durov to Paris in 2018 and proposed that he move the company's headquarters to Paris.
It was stated that Macron made this offer during a dinner, and that Durov declined the proposal. It was also alleged that Macron considered granting French citizenship to Durov in 2021.
Another notable claim in the report is that the intelligence services of France and the United Arab Emirates hacked Pavel Durov's iPhone in a joint operation in 2017. It was stated that this operation was carried out under the code name "Purple Music" and that the purpose of the operation was to address concerns regarding ISIS's use of Telegram to recruit militants and plan attacks.
WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the WSJ report, Pavel Durov was detained upon his arrival in Paris on August 24.
A total of 12 different charges were brought forward as the reason for the detention, including fraud and the distribution of child pornography.
Macron emphasized that this detention was "not a political decision." The Telegram press service, meanwhile, stated that the platform complies with European laws and that its content moderation rules are in line with industry standards.
This incident highlights the security and privacy issues Telegram faces on international platforms, while also revealing the challenges it encounters in its relations with states.