Telegram founder Durov makes first statement after detention in France
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, in his first statement since being detained in France, described the process as "surprising," stating, "Using pre-smartphone era laws to charge a CEO for crimes committed by individuals on the platform they manage is a misguided approach."
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Durov made his first public comments on his social media account regarding his release under judicial supervision following his detention in France.
Explaining that he was questioned by police for 4 days after arriving in Paris last month, Durov stated, "French authorities said that because they could not get a response from Telegram, I could be personally responsible for others' illegal use of Telegram. This was surprising for several reasons."
Pointing out that Telegram has an official representative in the European Union (EU), Durov noted that they have always responded to EU requests.
Explaining that French authorities had numerous options to reach him, Durov assessed, "Using pre-smartphone era laws to charge a CEO for crimes committed by individuals on the platform they manage is a misguided approach."
Emphasizing that building technology is already a difficult process, Durov stated, "No innovator will ever create new tools if they know they can be held personally responsible for the abuse of those tools."
Stating that Russia and Iran had previously requested encryption keys from Telegram, Durov noted that Telegram was banned in those countries because they refused these requests.
Indicating that they are prepared to leave markets that do not align with Telegram's principles, Durov noted that the number of people using the platform has reached 950 million, which has increased abuse by criminals.
Durov commented, "I hope that the events of August will make Telegram and the social networking industry as a whole safer and stronger."
RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL SUPERVISION
Durov was detained on August 24 while disembarking from his private jet at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.
It was reported that Durov was detained on the grounds that Telegram provided access to illegal content.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office announced that Durov, who faces 12 different charges, was released on August 28 by the court following a 96-hour detention period, subject to a 5 million euro bail and judicial supervision, and that he would be tried without arrest and is prohibited from leaving French territory.