Sat Jan 18 12:19:07 UTC 2025: ## Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Faces French Charges for Alleged Complicity in Organized Crime
**PARIS, FRANCE** – Telegram founder Pavel Durov, arrested in France in August, has admitted to investigators that he “realized the seriousness of all the allegations” against him following his detention. Durov is charged with multiple infractions linked to enabling organized crime through his messaging platform.
During questioning in December, Durov initially blamed French authorities for failing to properly alert Telegram to alleged criminal activity on the platform, citing communication issues and claiming cooperation with French intelligence. He insisted that Telegram, which boasts 950 million registered accounts, was not created to be a haven for criminals, but that its popularity inevitably led to increased criminal use.
Investigators presented Durov with over a dozen specific cases involving various crimes facilitated through Telegram, including child abuse, drug trafficking, scams, arms sales, and contract killings. Durov countered that Telegram’s “effective” measures against criminal activity resulted in the removal of 15 to 20 million user accounts and up to two million channels or groups monthly. He also highlighted the platform’s encryption as industry standard, designed to protect user privacy and prevent data leaks. However, he conceded that Telegram does not verify user identities.
Despite claiming a lack of “solid” evidence from media reports and accusations from organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which reported 400 instances of abuse to Telegram in 2023 alone, Durov’s assertions were met with skepticism. Investigators questioned his failure to proactively address these issues before his arrest, particularly concerning Telegram’s “People Nearby” feature, deactivated after his arrest due to its suspected misuse in facilitating illegal services.
While Telegram reported its first-ever annual profit in December, Durov revealed the company is burdened by a $2 billion debt. He nevertheless pledged to improve moderation processes and data provided by Telegram indicates a significant increase in user data handed over to national authorities following his arrest. Durov stated his teams provided identifying information on over 10,000 users in the first six months of 2024.
Durov, who holds multiple passports including a French one, will face further questioning. The case highlights the ongoing challenge faced by messaging platforms in balancing user privacy with the prevention of criminal activity.
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