- Telegram CEO was released on bail in France.
- Durov faces a legal battle in France.
- France arrested Durov for his role in Telegram.
The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov shook the crypto and tech industries, with many calling out French authorities over the decision. The Russian tech CEO was accused of enabling the use of Telegram for illegal purposes, including drug trafficking and terrorism.
Authorities recently revealed the biggest development in the case so far. Following several days of custody, a judge allowed Durov to leave on a bail of €5 million. However, conditions to the bail apply.
Durov Released on Bail, But Can’t Leave France
Telegram’s CEO is likely facing a protracted legal battle in France over his management of Telegram. On Thursday, August 28, a French judge released Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, on a €5 million bail after his earlier arrest.
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French authorities arrested Durov on August 25 for his role in managing Telegram. The case alleges he was complicit in organized crime, money laundering, and other illegal activities on Telegram. Durov’s lawyer, on the other hand, called the charges “absurd” and claimed Telegram complied with all regulations.
As part of his bail conditions, Durov is under strict judicial supervision. He is prohibited from leaving France and is required to report to the police twice a week.
Arrest Divides Tech World, Regulators
Durov’s arrest has drawn support from various tech industry figures, including Elon Musk, Vitalik Buterin, and Edward Snowden. These figures expressed concerns over the implications of the arrest for free speech.
After mounting criticism, French President Emmanuel Macron had to respond on social media. He claimed the arrest was “in no way a political decision” but rather part of an independent judicial investigation.
At the same time, Russian officials, who normally see Telegram with suspicion, have condemned France for Durov’s arrest.
On the Flipside
- Telegram boasts on its website that, so far, it shared no user information with any third party, including law enforcement.
- Telegram messages are not end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning third parties could theoretically access user data.
Why This Matters
Durov’s arrest has important implications for Telegram, a popular crypto app, and TON, a blockchain integrated with the app. It is also key in the debate over the future of digital platforms and the respective roles of governments and tech companies.
Read more about the risks of this arrest for Telegram:
Are Your Telegram Messages Safe After CEO Arrested?
Read more about airdrops and issues with them:
Airdrops Aren’t Fair; But HeyMint CEO Believes There’s a Solution
