Pavel Durov Granted Temporary Leave from France Amid Legal Troubles
Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging platform Telegram, has received permission from the Paris prosecutor’s office to leave France temporarily, lifting the travel restrictions placed on him due to an ongoing investigation into illicit activities associated with the app. Durov, who was previously detained near Paris and barred from leaving the country, must return between March 15 and April 7.
In a statement, Durov expressed relief at being able to return to Dubai after spending several months in France under investigation. He has faced serious charges, including complicity in enabling illegal activities such as drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material, potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Following his release last year, Durov was required to report to police bi-weekly.
Durov has criticized French authorities for holding him accountable for user-generated content on Telegram, stating that the platform has taken significant steps to enhance moderation and law enforcement collaboration since August. Despite its challenges, Telegram claims to have over one billion users, drawing attention for its minimal oversight, which, while appealing in restrictive regimes, has led to concerns over the proliferation of harmful content.
The case has sparked international debate about digital freedom and the responsibilities of tech companies toward user conduct. French authorities highlighted a lack of response from Telegram regarding criminal activities, further amplifying scrutiny from regulators in the European Union focused on child safety and disinformation.
Durov joins a growing list of tech figures facing legal accountability for crimes linked to their platforms, highlighting the challenges in balancing user freedom and corporate responsibility in the digital age.
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