By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Speaks for the First Since Arrest in France
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
International

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Speaks for the First Since Arrest in France

Muhammad A. Aliyu
By Muhammad A. Aliyu
Published: September 5, 2024
Share
3 Min Read
Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov
SHARE

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, issued his first public statement after being detained and questioned by French authorities in late August.

Durov was interrogated for four days in Paris after arriving in the city, in relation to alleged criminal activities on the platform, including child exploitation and drug trafficking.

The arrest of the tech mogul has sparked widespread discussion on the responsibilities of platform operators in regulating user content and cooperating with law enforcement.

In a detailed post shared through his official Telegram channel, Durov described the unexpected nature of his detainment and expressed surprise at being personally held responsible for users’ actions.

- Advertisement -

According to him, French authorities questioned him based on their belief that he was personally accountable for illegal activities on the app.

Durov, however, made it clear that Telegram has always had an official representative in the European Union specifically for handling law enforcement requests.

“Telegram has an official representative in the EU that accepts and replies to EU requests. Its email address has been publicly available for anyone in the EU who googles ‘Telegram EU address for law enforcement,'” Durov explained.

He also criticized the broader practice of using outdated laws to charge CEOs for third-party actions.

- Advertisement -

“Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation without undue risk.

Durov pointed out that while Telegram remains committed to privacy, it has also taken steps to remove harmful content from the platform. He acknowledged the challenges of balancing privacy and security across different regions, and stated that Telegram would continue to engage with regulators to find the right balance.

He further highlighted Telegram’s history of taking a principled stand, even when it leads to being banned in certain countries: “When Russia demanded we hand over ‘encryption keys’ to enable surveillance, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Russia. When Iran demanded we block channels of peaceful protesters, we refused — and Telegram got banned in Iran.”

While admitting that improvements are necessary, Durov assured users that Telegram is already working on enhancing the platform’s safety.

“Telegram’s abrupt increase in user count to 950M caused growing pains that made it easier for criminals to abuse our platform. That’s why I made it my personal goal to ensure we significantly improve things in this regard,” he shared.

Durov concluded his statement by reassuring Telegram’s global community that despite the challenges, the company remains committed to its core mission: protecting the basic rights of people, particularly in regions where those rights are most under threat.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:Pavel DurovTelegram
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByMuhammad A. Aliyu
Follow:
Muhammad Ameer Aliyu, is a prolific journalist who joined Okay Nigeria in 2015 with the aim staying committed to bringing more positive growth to the digital news platform. He is the Senior Editor at Okay Nigeria.
Previous Article Fuel will be Available Weekend, Says Minister after Meeting with Shettima
Next Article Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes First Men’s Player to Score 900 Career Goals

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 4 days ago (June 3, 2025 2:33 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Tinubu Urged by PDP to Cut Fuel and Electricity Costs Amid Eid-el-Kabir Festivities
News
Mike Ejeagha
Mike Ejeagha, Nigerian Highlife Maestro, Dies at 95
News
Tinubu Welcomes Gov Eno to APC as Political Realignments Intensify Across States
Politics Top stories
Super Eagles Rally to Draw Against Russia in International Friendly
Sport
Manchester United Raises Annual Core Profit Forecast to Between £180m and £190m After Europa League Boost
Sport
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

Ange Postecoglou
Sport

Tottenham Hotspur Part Ways with Ange Postecoglou Despite Europa League Glory

Yusuf Abubakar
Yusuf Abubakar
June 6, 2025
News

Dangote Names Main Refinery Access Road “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road” in Honor of President

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 6, 2025
L-R: Ify Okoye, Digital Creator; Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Actress; Stella Erebor, Head Internal Audit, Nigerian Communications Commission; Emanuella Samuel, Comedienne/Actress, Sylvia Musalagani, Safety Policy Manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET), Meta, and Nicole Chikwe, founder of The Mummy Summit, during the launch of Instagram teen accounts in Lagos on Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Tech

Meta Launches Teen Accounts on Instagram in Nigeria to Enhance Online Safety for Young Users

Farouk Mohammed
Farouk Mohammed
June 6, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?