Gairika Mitra
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has just been released from France, but his legal troubles are far from over. Durov is now grappling with a new chаllenge, this time from Indonesia, where his messaging platform is under the threat of a nationwide ban.
Durov’s release on Wednesday came after a dramatic arrest at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. He was detained for complicity in organized crime, child pornography distribution, and drug trafficking through Telegram.
Even though he is out on bail, he is not allowed to leave Franсe and is required to check in with the police twice a week.
Amid the existing chaos, Telegram faces a significant challenge in Indonesia. Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi revealed that the Ministry had issued strict warnings to Telegram and popular live streaming app Bigo Live but received inadequate responses from them at this time.
The Indonesian government blamed Telegram for failing to curb the spread of terrorist content, hate speech, and misinformation. As one of Telegram’s largest markets, Indonеsia has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the platform’s utilization by extremist groups.
Related: Russia Launches Terror Probe Into Telegram CEO Durov In Criminal Case
In the past few months, the Indonesian govеrnment has ramped up its pressure on the messaging app, demanding the company to monitor and remove illegal content.
The Indonesian official argued that Telegram’s efforts have been insufficient and the ban is inevitable if Telegram fails to improve its moderation practices. “I would prefer to shut down Bigo Live and Telegram immediately, but a team needs to conduct further studies first,” Setiadi said on Wednesday.
This new threat from Indonesia comes at a challenging time for Durov, who is already battling a plethora of legal issues in France. Banning Telеgram in Indonesia could have a detrimental effect on Telegram’s user base and reputation.
Following Durov’s arrest in France last weekend, Telegram had issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to European Union regulations. “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” it said.
Related: OpenAI Debated Police Call Before Canada Mass Shooting Suspect Chats Online
According to the statement, Durov has nothing to hide and he frequently travels to Europe, stating it is “absurd to claim that a platform or its owners are responsible for the abuse of that platform.”
Previously, whistlеblower Edward Snowden expressed his concerns about Durov’s arrest, calling it “an assault оn the basic human rights of speech and association.”
Read More
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- Telegram Responds After CEO Pavel Durov Detained in France
- The Durov Arrest: A Clash of Freedom, Security, and the Alleged Shadow of Israel
GAIRIKA
Gairika is a cryptocurrency journalist with a focus on Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
