Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski, who has previously been involved in a legal battle with France, quickly left Europe after the arrest of Telegram founder

Chris Pavlovski, the founder and CEO of Rumble, announced his departure from Europe following the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

Pavlovski, a Canadian, revealed on Sunday, 25th August, that he had "safely departed" Europe. He expressed concerns over France's actions, describing the arrest of Durov as a "red line" crossed by the French government.

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Rumble’s past ties to the French government

Rumble, known for its stance against content censorship, previously blocked access to its platform for French users in November 2022. The decision came after the French government requested the removal of certain Russian news sources, a move Rumble vowed to challenge legally.

In a similar vein, Pavlovski highlighted that Russia had also blocked Rumble earlier this year due to its refusal to meet censorship demands.

Telegram CEO's Arrest

Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested on 24th August at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. The arrest stemmed from an investigation by French authorities focusing on Telegram's alleged non-cooperation with law enforcement.

The platform faces scrutiny over moderation failures concerning crimes such as child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, fraud, and terrorism.

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Telegram responds to Pavel Durov incident

Telegram maintains that it complies with European Union regulations and continuously improves its moderation standards.

The platform, with nearly a billion users, insists that it is not responsible for the misuse of its services.

Telegram further stated that Durov has been transparent and frequently travels across Europe.

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Rumble may be leaving the European market

While Pavlovski did not disclose his current location, the situation between Rumble and European authorities remains tense. French officials have yet to issue a public statement on Durov's arrest, with more information expected on Monday, 26th August.

Despite the complexities surrounding content moderation, Rumble’s stance could be seen as increasingly isolating itself from regulatory authorities, raising questions about the platform's long-term viability in certain regions.