Following the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, Telegram has asserted its full compliance with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act (DSA). The messaging app stated that its content moderation practices align with industry standards and are continually improving. Telegram emphasized that Durov frequently travels in Europe and has nothing to hide.
Durov was arrested at a French airport amid accusations that Telegram's moderation practices are inadequate, potentially facilitating criminal activities. Although formal charges have yet to be filed, early reports suggest that French prosecutors may hold Durov and Telegram accountable for crimes organized or published on the platform.
Read more: Telegram Founder Arrest in France Sparks Conspiracy Theories, Toncoin Plummets 20%, DOGS Faces Pre-Listing Crisis
Telegram's Defence
In its defence, Telegram described it as "absurd" to hold a platform or its owner responsible for misuse by its users. The company also referenced a statement from the Russian embassy in France, which criticized the French authorities for not cooperating or providing consular access to Durov.
Telegram also pointed to a March 2024 post by Durov, where he anticipated challenges related to content moderation as the platform grew. Durov noted that all major social media platforms face criticism over moderation, highlighting that even industry giants like Meta have encountered negative media coverage.
Read more: Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski, who has previously been involved in a legal battle with France, quickly left Europe after the arrest of Telegram founder
Community Support
The arrest has sparked support within the crypto community. Notably, Justin Sun of Tron has offered to contribute $1 million to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) aimed at securing Durov's release, provided it gains sufficient community backing.
Despite the turmoil, Toncoin (TON), a cryptocurrency associated with Telegram, has moderated its losses and is currently down 2.45% on the day, according to CoinDesk Indices.
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