On Sunday, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was detained in France on claims that he failed to control illicit activity on Telegram. Durov will be questioned for up to 96 hours before being charged or released from jail by French officials. Amidst all of this, there are various speculations floating about Durov’s detention and Telegram’s future. One of the most widely circulated claims is that the Telegram app has been removed from app stores. This is not real, and it is just guesswork. Some rumors also say that the software would be automatically removed from users’ handsets. Also not true.
A lot of users on social media, including X (formerly Twitter) are circulating rumours about the app’s removal from app stores, specifically from Apple’s App Store. As per a report by 9To5Mac, users are sharing an old post online, which is possibly from 2021, when Telegram ban was reversed in Russia, after it was blocked in 2018.
On August 25, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested at Le Bourget Airport, with French authorities accusing him of not taking adequate measures to curb illegal activities on the platform. Telegram, however, quickly dismissed these accusations as “absurd,” asserting that Durov has “nothing to hide” and that the platform complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act.
“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. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all,” the company reacted in a post.
“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” the company adds.
The allegations against Durov are serious, encompassing claims of fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, and promoting terrorism and cyberbullying through Telegram. An investigator cited by The Guardian remarked, “Enough of Telegram’s impunity.” However, Telegram maintains its defence, emphasizing that the platform’s content moderation aligns with industry standards and is continuously improving.
At the heart of the controversy is the debate over content moderation. French officials believe that a lack of it has allowed criminal activities to flourish on Telegram. Despite these serious allegations, Telegram stands by Durov, highlighting his frequent travels in Europe and reaffirming their commitment to legal compliance. The company is now awaiting the outcome of this legal situation, confident in its adherence to regulations.
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Source: India Today
