Pavel Durov recently published an appeal to Telegram users on his channel. In this message, he outlined his vision of the conflict with the French authorities, explained the principles behind creating and maintaining the platform, promised to improve its operations, and thanked the public for their “love and memes.” He also revealed that upon arriving in Paris in August, he was subjected to a four-day police interrogation. The French authorities indicated that he could be held personally liable due to the abuse of the platform by some users and because Telegram’s administration allegedly ignores requests from the competent authorities. This statement came as a surprise for several reasons.
Reasons for the Unexpected Situation
Firstly, Telegram has an official representative in the EU who can be easily contacted. Secondly, Durov, being a French citizen, often visited the consulate in Dubai, where any questions could have been addressed directly. Thirdly, when authorities are unhappy with an Internet service, they usually initiate action by filing a lawsuit, rather than relying on outdated laws that make platform management responsible for crimes committed by third parties.
Challenges of Managing a Global Platform
Pavel Durov reminded the public that developing a technological product is a complex task. No one would attempt to innovate if they knew they could be held accountable for misuse by others. A delicate balance must be struck between complying with the different laws of various countries and regions and maintaining privacy and security. In the past, when Russia and Iran raised concerns about Telegram, the platform was blocked in these countries. Despite such challenges, Telegram publishes daily transparency reports and has communication channels to quickly address moderation requests. The user base of Telegram is now approaching a billion, and the need for improvement has become urgent, notes NIX Solutions.
Future Steps for Improvement
Durov acknowledged this need and confirmed that the process of improving the platform has already begun. The company will soon report on its progress. “I hope the events of August will make Telegram — and the entire social media industry — safer and stronger. Thank you for your love and memes,” concluded Pavel Durov. We’ll keep you updated on these developments as they unfold.