Durov says the “criminal investigation” is “still struggling to find” any wrongdoing by him or Telegram. He emphasizes that the platform follows industry-standard moderation and complies with legal requests. He also argues that his arrest was legally and logically unjustified.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has offered a new update on his ongoing legal battle in France, addressing the investigation targeting both him and his encrypted messaging platform.

“One year ago, the French police detained me for 4 days because some people I’d never heard of used Telegram to coordinate crimes. Arresting a CEO of a major platform over the actions of its users was not only unprecedented — it was legally and logically absurd,” Durov wrote in a Telegram post. 

Durov stated that the “criminal investigation” against him and his platform is “still struggling to find” any wrongdoing on the part of Telegram or himself. He added that the company’s moderation practices meet industry standards and emphasized that the messaging platform has consistently complied with all legally binding requests from French authorities.

The Telegram CEO also asserted that his 2024 arrest stemmed from errors by French authorities, alleging that they bypassed both French and EU legal procedures and failed to submit their inquiries to Telegram through the proper legal channels.

Furthermore, Durov shared that since his arrest, he has been required to return to France every 14 days and has yet to be given an appeal date. He also suggested that the handling of his case has caused “massive damage to France’s image as a free country.”

In a June interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov indicated that his detention could have been politically motivated, potentially tied to government concerns over alleged illegal activity on the messaging platform.

Durov disclosed that during his arrest last year at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, French authorities appeared primarily intent on examining the operational structure of his cloud-based messaging platform.

In August 2024, French prosecutors formally charged Durov with six offenses, including complicity in criminal activity, money laundering, and criminal association. The indictment also alleged that he neglected official inquiries, provided undeclared cryptocurrency services, and allowed the circulation of illegal content on the messaging app, which authorities contend suffers from inadequate moderation.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

The post Pavel Durov Says France Has No Case, Blasts “Strange” Telegram Probe first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/08/25/pavel-durov-says-france-has-no-case-blasts-strange-telegram-probe/. Content ID: SD27792Taece4bdb. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

In his Telegram channel, co-founder Pavel Durov explained that while Telegram’s privacy policy allows it to share IP addresses and phone numbers of criminals with authorities in most countries, the request still needs to meet specific legal requirements. Durov noted that these requests have always been processed through proper communication channels and that the platform ensures the requests are legitimate before disclosing any information.

“We’ve always strived to comply with relevant local laws — as long as they didn’t go against our values of freedom and privacy,” he said. 

He noted that one way Telegram maintains transparency about its cooperation with law enforcement is through its transparency bot. This tool publicly displays the number of legal requests processed by the platform. It also gives users insight into how Telegram handles government requests for data.

For example, in Brazil, Telegram disclosed information in response to 75 legal requests in the first quarter of 2024. This was followed by 63 in the second quarter and 65 in the third quarter. In India, arguably Telegram’s largest market, the company processed 2,461 legal requests in the first quarter, 2,151 in the second quarter, and 2,380 in the third quarter. 

In Europe, Telegram has seen an increase in valid legal requests in the third quarter of 2024. This uptick is attributed to the fact that more authorities across the European Union have begun using the appropriate communication lines required under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). 

Telegram Issues Privacy Policy Update and Temporary Wallet Suspension

Telegram recently made a subtle yet significant update to its privacy policy following a tense encounter between Durov and French authorities. The change was believed to be tied to his recent four-day police interrogation in Paris, where he was questioned about the platform’s alleged involvement in illegal activities.

Durov addressed the situation in a statement on X, where he expressed his commitment to protecting Telegram’s 950 million users from privacy violations.

I'm still trying to understand what happened in France. But we hear the concerns. I made it my personal goal to prevent abusers of Telegram's platform from interfering with the future of our 950+ million users.

My full post below. https://t.co/cDvRSodjst

— Pavel Durov (@durov) September 5, 2024

Recently, Telegram temporarily suspended its in-app wallet function for users in the United Kingdom. The suspension, as reported by analytics firm Wu Blockchain, is reportedly in response to regulatory requirements set by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In the period the in-app wallet feature was paused, Telegram allowed its users to transfer their funds to external wallets free of charge. 

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The post Telegram Clarifies Privacy Policy Amid User Concerns first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/10/03/telegram-clarifies-privacy-policy-amid-user-concerns/. Content ID: SD14269T429b7a97. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Blockchain media Wu Blockchain noted this move on Thursday. The decision reportedly comes as the company seeks to comply with regulatory requirements set by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). On the upside, the messaging app will allow users to transfer funds to external wallets for free during this period. 

Telegram Wallet in the UK

Telegram Wallet is an integrated feature within the Telegram app. It allows users to manage cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and Toncoin (TON). It offers a user-friendly interface for sending and receiving digital currencies directly through Telegram chats. Since the wallet is embedded in the app, no additional downloads are required.

The suspension of the in-app wallet function is set to take effect immediately. Telegram has informed its UK users that they will not be able to use the wallet feature. This is until the company successfully registers with the FCA as a crypto asset provider and obtains the necessary licenses. 

Additionally, the app announced major updates to its security and privacy policies, which will now include sharing users’ IP addresses and phone numbers with authorities upon receiving valid legal requests, particularly in cases involving criminal activity that violates Telegram’s Terms of Service. This move has raised concerns among privacy advocates and users alike, The Shib Daily reported earlier. 

Global Challenges: Privacy Concerns, Government Pressure, and Rising Restrictions

The recent announcement follows the arrest of Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in France, prompting speculation about whether external pressures influenced the decision. Telegram reassured users by stating that any data-sharing instances will be detailed in a quarterly transparency report, available at https://t.me/transparency.

Apart from this, the app faced restrictions in several countries due to concerns over its encryption and the platform’s use by criminal groups and activists. Governments in countries like Ukraine, Iran, and China have attempted to block or limit access to the app, citing its refusal to comply with data requests and its role in facilitating protests or illegal activities. 

Other countries like Indonesia and Brazil have also imposed restrictions or threatened bans on Telegram. These actions are often due to concerns over the platform’s end-to-end encryption, which prevents authorities from accessing communications related to criminal activities, terrorism, or misinformation. 

In some cases, many governments pressured to remove specific channels or content linked to extremist groups or illegal activities. While the platform has complied with certain requests, it continues to walk a fine line between ensuring user privacy and adhering to government demands, leading to ongoing tensions with various governments.

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The post Telegram Wallet Suspends In-App Functionality for UK Residents first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/09/26/telegram-wallet-suspends-in-app-functionality-for-uk-residents/. Content ID: SD13692Te2cde31b. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

The changes involve handing over users’ IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities upon valid legal requests. This is particularly true in cases involving criminal activities that violate Telegram’s Terms of Service. The move has sparked widespread concern among privacy advocates and users of the popular messaging app.

The announcement comes on the heels of Telegram founder and chief executive Pavel Durov’s recent arrest in France. His arrest raised questions about whether external pressures influenced his decision. 

“If any data is shared, we will include such occurrences in a quarterly transparency report published at: https://t.me/transparency,” Telegram stated.

Telegram Faces Global Scrutiny Over Privacy and Content Regulation

Durov’s arrest has added an intriguing layer to this story, with mounting speculation on whether his detention influenced the decision to modify Telegram’s privacy policies. 

Neither Durov nor Telegram representatives have officially linked his arrest, due to unspecified charges, to the policy change. However, the timing raised eyebrows among users and industry experts alike.

People have long praised the app for its end-to-end encryption features. These are what made it a popular choice among those seeking secure communication channels. 

The Shib Daily reported earlier that Telegram released a firm statement regarding their CEO’s arrest, reiterating its strong commitment to complying with European Union regulations.

“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” it noted. The company also stated that Durov “has nothing to hide and travels frequently throughout Europe.”

Amid the ongoing turmoil, Telegram also faces another major challenge in Indonesia. Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi disclosed that the Ministry had issued stern warnings to the app and the popular live-streaming app Bigo Live for its failure to control the spread of terrorist content, hate speech, and misinformation. As one of Telegram’s largest markets, Indonesia continues to voice concerns over the platform’s use by extremist groups.

As Telegram navigates this new territory, the messaging app faces an uphill battle in reassuring its user base that their privacy remains a top priority. The upcoming transparency reports will be crucial in rebuilding trust and demonstrating the company’s commitment to balancing legal obligations with user rights.

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The post Telegram Makes Controversial Change to Privacy Policy Following CEO’s Arrest first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/09/24/telegram-makes-controversial-change-to-privacy-policy-following-ceos-arrest/. Content ID: SD13492Te505bbee. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Many believe that the policy change is linked to Durov’s recent four-day police interrogation in Paris regarding the platform’s alleged use of illegal activities.

Recently, Durov made an announcement on X noting that he is personally overseeing abusers of the platform who are invading the privacy of more than 950 million users. 

“I’m still trying to understand what happened in France. But we hear the concerns. I made it my personal goal to prevent abusers of Telegram’s platform from interfering with the future of our 950+ million users,” he said.

Durov was unexpectedly detained and questioned by French authorities last month. He was charged for Telegram’s alleged failure to cooperate with law enforcement requests in France, especially concerning its use by criminals. The authorities claimed they were frustrated by the lack of responses from Telegram, despite it having an official representative within the European Union (EU). 

The French officials also accused Durov of being responsible for illegal activities conducted by third parties on Telegram. 

Following Durov’s arrest, it appears that Telegram conducted a stealth privacy policy update. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section has been revised, and a specific statement was removed. The statement that was removed previously read, “All Telegram chats and group chats are private amongst their participants. We do not process any requests related to them,” and replaced with “All Telegram apps have had ‘Report’ buttons that let you flag illegal content for our moderators — in just a few taps.” 

Source: Blockchain Daily

Durov’s name has been making its rounds online for his defiant attitude towards authoritarian regimes. In the past, he had publicly rejected the Russian government’s requests to censor anti-government figures. 

The situation surrounding Telegram’s CEO has shaken the tech world. Following Durov’s arrest, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski decided to leave Europe. Previously critical of France’s actions, Pavlovski stated that France had threatened Rumble and that Durov’s arrest, allegedly for not censoring speech, marks a dangerous escalation.

He added that Rumble will not be tolerant of this behavior as it’s disregarding freedom of expression, which is a universal right. The CEO also added that in previous instances Rumble had been targeted by countries like China, Russia, Brazil, the U.K., and New Zealand. 

His latest cryptic post hinted that the video-sharing platform has encountered threats from different countries, highlighting a troubling trend against free speech.

It read:

“China bans Rumble 
France threatens Rumble, we leave
Brazil threatens Rumble, we leave
UK threatens Rumble
Russia bans Rumble
New Zealand threatens Rumble
France arrests Telegram CEO
Free speech is under major assault and I will not stop fighting for it.”

Read More

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The post Telegram Updates Privacy Policy After Durov’s Arrest in France first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/09/06/telegram-updates-privacy-policy-after-durovs-arrest-in-france/. Content ID: SD11798Ta7b7fd07. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

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 France 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, Indonesia has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the platform’s utilization by extremist groups. 

In the past few months, the Indonesian government 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 Telegram 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. 

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, whistleblower Edward Snowden expressed his concerns about Durov’s arrest, calling it “an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.”

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The post Telegram CEO’s Legal Troubles Escalate as Indonesia Threatens Nationwide Telegram Ban first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/08/29/telegram-ceos-legal-troubles-escalate-as-indonesia-threatens-nationwide-telegram-ban/. Content ID: SD11105Tc3fec1bc. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

He affirmed the fact that France has always been deeply committed to the freedom of expression, communication, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and it will continue to champion these values.

“I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov. France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so. In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights. It is up to the judiciary, in full independence, to enforce the law,” he said in his post. 

Durov was arrested at the Le Bourget Airport in Paris last weekend. He had earned repute for standing up to authoritarian regimes, with his rejection of the Russian government’s requests to censor anti-government figures being a particuarly famous one.

He made his stance clear in an earlier interview with journalist Tucker Carlson where he detailed his resistance to authoritarian pressures. Soon after Durov’s arrest, Telegram issued a statement, noting that its operations are in alignment with the Digital Services Act and that it maintains the highest standards when it comes to content moderation practices. 

According to the French authorities, Telegram was used for illicit activities like drug trafficking and distributing child sexual abuse images. As of Tuesday, Durov had not been charged. He is being held for questioning until Wednesday evening. 

The arrest of Durov put the tech world on edge. Recently, Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski departed from Europe and posted about it on X. He said that France had threatened Rumble earlier and referred to Durov’s arrest by the French authorities as “crossing a red line” because Telegram had not complied with demands to censor speech.

Pavlovski addressed the French president’s post on X, saying, “When you say you are committed to freedom of expression, you are lying. We have a letter from France that proves this, without a doubt. We had to shut down Rumble in France because you have NO commitment to freedom of expression.”

Read More

• Rumble CEO Flees Europe After Durov Arrest Sparks Concerns Over Free Speech and Tech Regulation
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The post French President Macron Defends Judicial Independence Amid Telegram CEO Arrest Controversy first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/08/27/french-president-macron-defends-judicial-independence-amid-telegram-ceo-arrest-controversy/. Content ID: SD10923Teadee1a2. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

On Sunday, via an X post, Pavlovski updated his followers of his whereabouts: ‘I’m a little late to this, but for good reason — I’ve just safely departed from Europe.” He went on to denounce France’s actions, stating, “France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech. Rumble will not tolerate this blatant disregard for freedom of expression, a universal human right. We are currently taking legal action against France and demand the immediate release of Pavel Durov.”

In a scathing indictment of global censorship, Pavlovski has revealed a litany of threats and bans faced by his company. In another X post, Pavlovski detailed how Rumble has been targeted by authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, and Brazil, as well as democratic nations like the UK and New Zealand.

Amid this onslaught, Pavlovski made a defiant declaration: “Free speech is under major assault, and I will not stop fighting for it.” His unwavering stance has garnered significant attention and support from the tech community.

Tech mogul Elon Musk, known for his outspoken views on free speech, echoed Pavlovski’s concerns. In a comment to the Rumble CEO’s X post, Musk labeled the situation as “very worrying,” highlighting the growing threats to online freedom of expression.

Whistleblower Edward Snowden echoed Musk’s concerns about Durov’s arrest, calling it “an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.” In an X post, Snowden expressed his surprise and deep sadness at Macron’s actions, stating, “I am shocked that Macron has resorted to such tactics, taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications. This behavior undermines not only France but the entire world.”

Toncoin (TON), the native token of The Open Network (TON) and a cryptocurrency integrated with the Telegram app, experienced a significant 15.67% price decline following the unexpected arrest of Durov.

Toncoin (TON) faced a turbulent Monday, with its price dropping 0.78% to $5.60 by 9:38 a.m. ET. This decline was accompanied by a sharp 54.28% drop in 24-hour trading volume, falling to $1,087,846,760.

Over the past week, Toncoin’s price has plummeted by 17.71%, and the 30-day trend shows a significant 17.23% decline. According to data from CoinMarketCap, Toncoin’s current circulating supply is 2,534,758,629 TON, and its market capitalization has decreased by 0.54% to $14,200,208,604.

Read More

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• Telegram CEO’s Answer to Privacy Threats: Crypto-Inspired Communication Devices to Evade Government Eyes

The post Rumble CEO Flees Europe After Durov Arrest Sparks Concerns Over Free Speech and Tech Regulation first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/08/26/rumble-ceo-flees-europe-after-durov-arrest-sparks-concerns-over-free-speech-and-tech-regulation/. Content ID: SD10853Tb9c3fe3f. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act – its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” the messaging platform emphasized on its statement on Sunday. The company also mentioned that its CEO Pavel Durov “has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.”

This statement came after French authorities arested and detained Durov at a local airport following a criminal complaint related to Telegram’s moderation practices, The Shib Daily reported earlier. While formal charges have not yet been disclosed, initial reports suggested that French prosecutors are investigating the role of Telegram and Durov in facilitating criminal activities through the platform.

Telegram dismissed the notion of holding a platform or its owner responsible for content abuse, stating, “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”

Following Durov’s detention, the Russian embassy in France issued a statement expressing concerns over the incident. “After news appeared in the media about the detention of P.V. Durov, we immediately requested clarification from the French authorities regarding the reasons and demanded the protection of his rights and the provision of consular access,” the embassy said. “As of today, the French side has so far avoided cooperation on this issue,” it added.

Telegram’s statement linked to a March 2024 post from Durov, in which he anticipated potential challenges linked to moderation as the platform grows. In that post, he wrote, “All large social media apps are easy targets for criticism due to the content they host. I can’t recall any major social platform whose moderation has been consistently praised by traditional media.” Durov further noted that “Meta was also the first social media company to have reached a trillion-dollar-plus valuation,” predicting that Telegram could face similar scrutiny during its growth.

The crypto community has responded to Durov’s detention, with Tron founder Justin Sun offering to donate $1 million to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) focused on supporting Durov’s release. Sun specified that this would only be done if “it’s created in a decentralized way with enough community support.”

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The post Telegram Responds After CEO Pavel Durov Detained in France first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/08/26/telegram-responds-after-ceo-pavel-durov-detained-in-france/. Content ID: SD10842T6870dd29. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.