Telegram’s CEO has refuted claims that the messaging platform serves as a haven for criminals.
Pavel Durov, Telegram’s CEO, has asserted that it is inaccurate to portray his encrypted messaging service as a platform where criminals operate with impunity.
The Russian-French entrepreneur defended Telegram following charges by French authorities alleging that the platform facilitated the dissemination of illegal content.
Durov published a comprehensive statement on his Telegram channel on Thursday, asserting that he has cooperated with French law enforcement in the past. “When asked, I personally helped them establish a hotline with Telegram to deal with the threat of terrorism in France,” he wrote.
Durov acknowledged that Telegram, which presently boasts over 950 million monthly active users, has been experiencing “growing pains” that have made it easier for criminals to exploit the platform. He pledged to “significantly improve” content management.
“Establishing the right balance between privacy and security is not easy. You have to reconcile privacy laws with law enforcement requirements, and local laws with EU laws,” Durov continued, emphasizing that his company has been receptive to dialogue and “committed to engaging with regulators to find the right balance.”
The tech billionaire added that Telegram was “prepared to leave markets that aren’t compatible with our principles,” citing disagreements he has had with regulators in Russia and Iran. Telegram was banned in Russia from 2018 and 2020, and continues to be blocked in Iran.
“We are driven by the intention to bring good and defend the basic rights of people, particularly in places where these rights are violated,” Durov wrote.
All of that does not mean Telegram is perfect. Even the fact that authorities could be confused by where to send requests is something that we should improve. But the claims in some media that Telegram is some sort of anarchic paradise are absolutely untrue.
In response to accusations of lax moderation practices, Durov stated that Telegram removes “millions of harmful posts and channels every day,” and publishes “daily transparency reports” about actions taken against the dissemination of illegal content, including child abuse and terrorism.
French police apprehended Durov two weeks ago after his private jet landed at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. He was charged with a dozen offenses related to crimes allegedly committed using Telegram, and released on bail a few days later. The messenger’s purported refusal to cooperate with authorities ultimately led investigators to Durov, prosecutors said in a press release. However, the CEO denied that Telegram had been disregarding requests from authorities.