Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Over Moderation Issues

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was arrested in France this weekend following a warrant issued by the French national police. The arrest stems from a criminal complaint by OFIM, a French office established in November 2023 to combat violence against minors. The complaint accuses Telegram of failing to moderate content related to drug trafficking, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and fraud, thereby holding Durov accountable for these lapses.

The news of Durov’s arrest had immediate consequences for Toncoin (TON), a cryptocurrency associated with Telegram. The token saw its value plummet by over 26%, now trading at $5.63, according to CoinMarketCap data.

In response to the arrest, Telegram released a statement emphasizing its compliance with European Union laws. The company stated that its content moderation practices are in line with industry standards and are continuously improving. “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” the company asserted. Telegram also clarified that Durov frequently travels within Europe and has nothing to hide.

While a formal charge sheet has not yet been released, early media reports suggest that French prosecutors are attributing criminal responsibility to Durov and Telegram for illegal activities facilitated on the platform. In its statement, Telegram referenced a March 2024 post by Durov, where he anticipated challenges related to the platform’s moderation as it grows. “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” Telegram declared.

The Russian embassy in France reacted to Durov’s detention by seeking clarification from French authorities and demanding the protection of his rights, including consular access. However, they reported a lack of cooperation from the French side in addressing these requests.

The arrest has also sparked reactions within the cryptocurrency community. Justin Sun, a prominent figure in the crypto world and founder of Tron, voiced his support for Durov. Sun offered to donate $1 million to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) dedicated to securing Durov’s release, provided it gains sufficient community backing.

Durov previously discussed the difficulties that large social media platforms face in managing content moderation. He noted that no major platform has consistently received positive coverage for its moderation efforts. Durov compared Telegram’s situation to that of Meta, which has also faced criticism for its moderation practices despite achieving significant financial success.