The Indian government has initiated an inquiry into the popular messaging service Telegram after reports of its suspected participation in illicit activities such as extortion and gambling. This decision comes shortly after Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France on allegations of fraud and cyberbullying.
According to “Money control”, the Indian government is investigating Telegram for its potential involvement in enabling criminal activity. If the inquiry, coordinated by the Ministries of Home Affairs and Electronics and Information Technology, uncovers sufficient proof, the app may be banned in India.
In France, Durov’s arrest was part of a bigger investigation by OFMIN, an organization dedicated to preventing violence against minors. He’s been linked with fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and aiding terrorism. French authorities have expressed concern about Telegram’s moderation mechanisms and their apparent failure to prevent criminal activity on the network.
Content List:
- Telegram may be banned in India if ‘the claims are validated’.
- Telegram’s ‘role’ in UGC-NEET document leak.
- Musk Reacts to France’s Arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov:
- Telegram CEO Arrested as French authorities conduct broad investigation
Telegram’s ‘role’ in UGC-NEET document leak:
Telegram has already been criticized for promoting the spread of misinformation and criminal activity. The site received increased attention following the recent UGC-NEET incident, in which the medical entrance exam paper was hacked and distributed on Telegram, with reports stating that it was being sold for between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000.
Despite these worries, Telegram guarantees to follow Indian law. The corporation has designated a nominal officer and a chief compliance officer and it publishes monthly compliance reports. However, the Indian government has found it difficult to address Telegram issues owing to the company’s lack of a physical presence in India.
In October 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT Ministry) sent in letters to Telegram and other social media companies requesting that they remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from their services.
Elon Musk Reacts to France’s Arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov:
Elon Musk criticized European authorities in Paris, France, after Telegram’s creator, Pavel Durov, was arrested at Le Bourget airport. The incident has prompted a heated discussion over free speech and the role of technology platforms.
Musk criticized Durov’s arrest, calling it an attack on free speech. He wrote multiple texts seeking justice for Durov. American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also remarked on the incident, stating, “It’s Telegram today.” It’ll be X tomorrow,” Musk confirmed, adding, “He’s correct.” In another tweet, Musk warned of more censorship in Europe, writing, “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe, and you’re being executed for liking a meme.”
Pavel Durov, a 39-year-old entrepreneur born in Russia with both French and UAE citizenship, was arrested at Le Bourget airport shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan on a private jet. He was detained as part of an ongoing investigation into Telegram’s content filtering rules. French authorities are examining claims that the site aided various crimes due to poor moderation and a lack of engagement with law enforcement.
According to Reuters, Durov was arrested because of an outstanding warrant in France. The inquiry is being led by a professional cybersecurity unit and the national anti-fraud police, and it will be overseen by an organized crime expert judge.
In response to Durov’s arrest, the Russian government warned France that he must be granted legal rights. Russia’s foreign ministry also wrote to Paris, asking for access to Durov, despite his French citizenship. Russian lawmakers Maria Butina described Durov as a “political prisoner” and claimed that the arrest was part of a Western “witch-hunt.” In its defense, Telegram maintained that the network conforms with European Union legislation, particularly the Digital Services Act, and confirmed its commitment to user privacy and free speech. The corporation also supported Durov, saying he had nothing to hide and may travel freely around Europe.
Pavel Durov launched Telegram in 2013 after leaving Russia due to government pressure to shut down dissident organizations on VK, another social media site he developed and subsequently sold. Telegram, currently headquartered in Dubai, has become one of the most popular messaging applications, with about a billion users, mostly in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet nations.
During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Telegram was an essential forum, offering freely and often contentious material from all sides of the fight. Its expanding popularity has prompted more attention from European governments, which are concerned about security and data breaches. As the investigation into Durov and Telegram proceeds, the arrest has sparked a larger conversation about free expression, privacy, and the role of internet platforms in global politics.
Telegram CEO Arrested as French Authorities Conduct Broad Investigation
Last month, authorities launched an investigation into illegal activities on Telegram, which included child pornography, drug sales, and fraud. The inventor of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was jailed near Paris over the weekend as part of the investigation.
On Monday, French officials said that Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old founder of Telegram, had been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation. He was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget Airport after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan. Although he has not yet been charged, Durov is still in custody, which officials believe can be extended until Wednesday.
According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, Durov’s arrest is related to an investigation launched on July 8 against an unknown individual, with possible accusations including involvement in the dissemination of child pornography, drug sales, money laundering, and failure to cooperate with law enforcement. The investigation is being investigated by cybercrime and anti-fraud experts, and detectives questioned Durov as part of the process.
It is uncertain whether any of the allegations outlined by Beccuau will ever be filed against Durov. In France, complicated criminal matters are handled by special judges with strong investigation powers. They can legally prosecute individuals when evidence supports it, but they can also dismiss charges if the evidence is weak, and these cases can take years to conclude.
Durov’s jail time has sparked debate over free speech on the internet. French President Emmanuel Macron denied claims by Durov’s followers that the arrest was an act of government restrictions, noting in a post on X that the arrest was part of an ongoing judicial inquiry, not a political move. Macron highlighted that the decision is up to the courts and confirmed France’s commitment to free speech, innovation, and business.
Telegram, which has over 900 million users, has grown in popularity largely owing to its dedication to free expression. The platform’s limited content supervision has allowed individuals under authoritarian regimes to speak freely, but it has also become a breeding ground for harmful information. Telegram operates as standard messaging software, but it also provides channels and groups where vast numbers of individuals may interact with little moderation.
Telegram, a platform used by terrorist organizations, drug sellers, weapons dealers, and far-right extremist groups, has been under scrutiny by law enforcement agencies due to its potential misuse. The European Union has increased pressure on tech companies to combat disinformation, extremism, child safety, and illicit material.
The arrest of founder Sergey Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after losing control of Vkontakte, could further strain relations between France and Russia. The Russian Embassy in France has requested clarification on the arrest and consular access to Durov. Telegram defended Durov, calling it “absurd” to blame the platform or its owner for the misuse of the service and emphasized that Durov has nothing to hide.