Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Charged in France: Legal Troubles and App Concerns

Telegram CEO charged over app's "criminal use": Forbidden to leave France and more - Times of India

Pavel Durov, the CEO and a co-founder of Telegram, has been charged in France with enabling various forms of criminality on the instant messaging app, French prosecutors have said. A French judge put Durov under formal investigation but granted him bail on condition he pays 5 million euros, reports twice a week to police and does not leave French territory. The Paris prosecutor said that the judge found there were grounds to formally investigate Durov on all the charges for which he was initially arrested on August 24 from an airport in the city.The entrepreneur was placed in custody for up to 96 hours - or four days - which is the maximum amount of time someone can be held under French law before being charged. What are the charges that Durov faced Durov was detained as part of a judicial inquiry opened last month involving 12 alleged criminal violations, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. These charges included complicity in selling child sexual abuse material and in drug trafficking, fraud, abetting organized crime transactions and refusing to share information or documents with investigators when required by law. One of the charges -- complicity in administering an online platform permitting illicit transactions by an organised group -- carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros ($555,750), prosecutors said. Paris prosecutors allege Telegram almost completely failed to respond to legal requests for user data, hindering their efforts to combat cybercrime. Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Telegram boss said the investigation was "totally absurd" as Durov was responsible for any criminal acts committed on the platform, news agency Reuters cited French media as saying. "It's totally absurd to think that the head of a social network could be involved in criminal acts that do not concern him, either directly or indirectly," said Durove's lawyer "Telegram fully abides with European rules on digital," he added. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov charged by French prosecutors

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in Barcelona, Spain on Feb. 23, 2016.Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg via Getty Images file Pavel Durov, the CEO and co-founder of the news and messaging app Telegram, has been charged in France with enabling numerous criminal transactions, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of €500,000, according to a press release from French prosecutors published Wednesday evening. Durov had been held in French custody since Saturday and was transferred to a French court on Wednesday for questioning. French prosecutors said Monday that Durov was detained as part of a larger investigation that was opened in July into an unnamed individual. Prosecutors said the person was accused of "complicity" in various criminal activities including the facilitation of the transfer of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and drug trafficking. Charges that the prosecutor's office cited seemed to specifically refer to Telegram, including failure to register the platform's encrypted messaging option with the French government. Telegram, under Durov's leadership, has been particularly reluctant to moderate content or cooperate with law enforcement or courts. Durov, born in the former Soviet Union, has presented himself as a free speech absolutist and moved Telegram's headquarters from Russia to the United Arab Emirates after he said the Kremlin demanded he turn over users' data. Durov's arrest has sparked outcry and speculation from some free speech advocates and high-profile members of the tech community, who have suggested that the arrest by French authorities was conducted in an effort to control or access communications on the platform. On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the outrage, writing in a post on X that "The arrest of the head of Telegram on French territory took place in the context of a judicial inquiry in process. It was not in any way a political decision." While Durov's approach has earned him praise from far-right and libertarian figures, it has frustrated child safety groups, which say that Telegram has become a central hub for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and is the only major internet platform to be completely uncooperative in their attempts to curb that content. A Telegram spokesperson told NBC News on Tuesday that Telegram uses a combination of moderators, artificial intelligence and user reports to remove public channels that host CSAM material. Telegram publishes a daily report that claims it removes thousands of channels a day for CSAM. But the site's terms of service says there is no means for reporting illegal activity in private Telegram chats and that it has never given any government any information on a user. That is a stark contrast from other major tech platforms, many of which issue regular reports detailing compliance with court orders and warrants from governments around the world. Telegram didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about Durov's indictment.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov released from police custody: Here's what is next - Times of India

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been released from police custody in France and transferred to court for further questioning , days after his arrest at a Paris airport, according to CNN. As per the Paris prosecutor's office, the Russian-born billionaire will now face "initial questioning and possible indictment" at a court in the French capital. Notably, being placed under formal investigation in France does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to trial.However, it does indicate that judges consider there is enough to the case to proceed with the probe. Durov was placed in custody for up to 96 hours - or four days - which is the maximum amount of time someone can be held under French law before being charged, news agency Reuters reported. Durov was arrested in France on August 24 on allegations that his platform, Telegram, is being used for illicit activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse images. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov facing 12 criminal charges Durov faces a long list of serious charges, including complicity in the administration of an online platform for illegal transactions, refusing to cooperate with authorities, and involvement in child pornography. Additionally, French authorities accused him of complicity in drug offences, providing tools for cyberattacks, organised gang scams, criminal association, and money laundering. Earlier this week, Telegram said that it abided by European Union (EU) laws and its moderation was "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," the company said. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Formally Charged By Judge In France Amid Rising Tensions With Russia -- Bail Set At $5.6M

Social media platform, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been formally charged by a judge in France on Wednesday. The charges are part of an investigation into the alleged failure of the Dubai-based messaging app to address criminal activities. What Happened: The charges stem from an investigation into the messaging app's alleged failure to address criminal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution of child sexual abuse content, reported Financial Times. Durov, a Russia-born billionaire who holds French and Emirati citizenship, was arrested upon arrival at Le Bourget airport outside Paris. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. He has been questioned by investigators for four days and is required to provide a €5 million ($5.6 million) bail deposit, report to police twice a week, and not leave French territory. The investigation into Telegram began in February, led by the Paris prosecutors and Ofmin, a police agency specializing in preventing crimes against minors. Cybercrime investigators and customs officials joined the probe in July. Why It Matters: The arrest of Durov has sparked a global debate over the balance between free speech and online safety on social media platforms. It has also ignited tensions between France and Russia, with Moscow arguing the arrest was politically motivated, a claim denied by French President Emmanuel Macron. Russian President Vladimir Putin's ally accused the U.S. of orchestrating the arrest, suggesting that President Joe Biden must be trying to gain control over Telegram. Previously, French Prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that Durov is facing 12 distinct charges, including involvement in child pornography distribution, drug-related offenses, organized fraud, and money laundering. Edward Snowden, the well-known National Security Agency whistleblower, criticized the arrest, calling it a violation of human rights. He accused French President Macron of "taking hostages" to access private communications. Moreover, the Indian government has also initiated an investigation into Telegram over concerns of criminal activities, triggered by the arrest of Durov. Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Google Chrome To Trigger Vibrations On Your Smartphone When You Do This Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

"Telegram CEO Parel Durov probed for 'serious acts of violence' against his own child in France' - Times of India

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, is reportedly facing a new investigation in France. In addition to the ongoing probe into his alleged failure to curb illegal content on Telegram app, French authorities are now investigating him on suspicion of "serious acts of violence" against his seven-year-old son. The child welfare office in France launched the investigation into Durov's son, who was born in 2017 and is currently living in Switzerland.The investigation reportedly began recently. If found guilty of the child abuse allegations, Durov could face serious legal consequences. If charges are pressed, a judge will decide whether to impose restrictions on his movements or require him to post a bond. Durov was arrested last week in France and detained for four days. He was released on Wednesday after being questioned by French prosecutors. The initial investigation, which involves 12 alleged criminal violations, is ongoing. What next for Telegram CEO "An investigating judge has ended Pavel Durov's police custody and will have him brought to court for a first appearance and a possible indictment," a statement from the Paris prosecutor's office said. According to reports, Durov is being brought in front of an investigative judge at the Paris judicial court in the north of the capital, according to a justice ministry official. The judge is expected to subject Telegram CEO to more questioning before deciding whether to press charges against him or name him as a material witness in the investigation and let him go free. If charges are pressed, another judge known as the juge des libertés will likely have to rule on whether any limits should be placed on his movements or if Durov should post a bond. The entire process is expected to take place behind closed doors. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.