Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of Telegram, spoken out for the first time since his arrest last month. 

His comments, delivered through his official Telegram channel, come in the wake of legal issues in France where he faces serious charges. 

Despite these challenges, Durov remains steadfast in his defense of Telegram’s privacy policies and operational practices.

Privacy Under Scrutiny

According to Durov, Telegram established channels for handling requests from law enforcement agencies. He criticized French authorities for bypassing these channels and addressing him personally rather than following established procedures. 

The Telegram CEO argued that using outdated legal frameworks to hold a CEO accountable for third-party activities on their platform is a flawed approach.

In his statement, Durov emphasized that Telegram is not an "anarchic paradise" as some media reports have suggested. He asserted that the platform actively removes harmful content, including millions of posts and channels daily. 

Despite its challenges, Durov maintains that Telegram strives to balance privacy and security, consistently addressing problematic content while upholding its commitment to user privacy.

“You have to take into account technological limitations. As a platform, you want your processes to be consistent globally, while also ensuring they are not abused in countries with weak rule of law,” The Telegram CEO stated. “We’ve been committed to engaging with regulators to find the right balance. Yes, we stand by our principles: our experience is shaped by our mission to protect our users in authoritarian regimes.”

Durov also hinted at potential changes in Telegram’s market strategy, suggesting that the platform may withdraw from markets that compromise its core principles. He cited previous instances where Telegram had faced bans in Russia and Iran due to its refusal to comply with government demands for user data. 

Legal and Regulatory Responses

The legal trouble for Durov began in August 2024, when he was detained in France amid an investigation into serious allegations, including child sexual abuse images and drug trafficking. 

Although he was granted bail, the conditions include regular reporting to police and restrictions on his movement. Durov’s arrest ignited an international debate about freedom of speech and privacy, involving figures such as Elon Musk and French President Emmanuel Macron.