Even as France risks igniting a diplomatic war over the arrest of Telegram CEO, citing alleged promotion of criminal activities on the messaging app, French President Emmanuel Macron is continuing to actively use the social media platform.

Telegram boss Pavel Durov was detained in Paris last week amid allegations that his app enabled drug trafficking and exploitation of minors. However, despite these serious allegations by the government, French leaders are finding it difficult to abandon the popular platform.

European press reports claimed on August 26 that Macron was believed to have logged into Telegram “recently.” Not just the president, French lawmakers, cabinet members, and presidential advisers are also using Telegram regularly, as claimed by the report.

The French president, who boasts over 112,000 followers on the app, has been using Telegram since the early days of his first presidential campaign.

Macron earlier on Thursday said that granting citizenship to Durov was a “good” thing, saying he is a high-profile figure who learnt French and contributed to the nation.

“It’s part of a strategy to allow women and men, whether artists, athletes or entrepreneurs, when they make the effort to learn the French language and that they develop wealth, innovation … to be given French nationality,” Macron said.

He also claimed that he was totally unaware of Durov’s arrival in France before his detention on Saturday (Aug 24). Some media reports earlier quoted the Telegram boss&nbsp;as saying he planned to meet the French president during his visit.

“I was absolutely not aware of Mr Durov’s arrival in France,’’ Macron said, describing Durov’s arrest as “an independent act of French justice”. “It is false that I offered any kind of invitation to him,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, UAE has expressed serious concern over Durov’s arrest to the French authorities, given he is also a national of the West Asian nation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjBu6XRz5yIAxUbkK8BHVoRGaEQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-freed-from-detention-to-face-a-court-now-754143" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-freed-from-detention-to-face-a-court-now-754143&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjBu6XRz5yIAxUbkK8BHVoRGaEQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">Telegram CEO Pavel Durov freed from detention, to face a court now</a>

“Caring for citizens, preserving their interests, following up on their affairs, and providing them with all aspects of care are a top priority for the UAE,” the country’s foreign ministry warned.

Notably, it’s not just the French president who uses the app, but leaders across the world are active on the platform.

Watch:&nbsp;Telegram founder-CEO Pavel Durov charged in France

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Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro boasts over 1.6 million followers on Telegram and remains active there.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the app regularly to communicate with his followers. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is also believed to have opened an account on the app.

(With inputs from agencies)

Even as France risks igniting a diplomatic war over the arrest of Telegram CEO, citing alleged promotion of criminal activities on the messaging app, French President Emmanuel Macron is continuing to actively use the social media platform.

Even as France risks igniting a diplomatic war over the arrest of Telegram CEO, citing alleged promotion of criminal activities on the messaging app, French President Emmanuel Macron is continuing to actively use the social media platform. Telegram boss Pavel Durov was detained in Paris last week amid allegations that his app enabled drug trafficking and exploitation of minors. However, despite these serious allegations by the government, French leaders are finding it difficult to abandon the popular platform. European press reports claimed on August 26 that Macron was believed to have logged into Telegram “recently.” Not just the president, French lawmakers, cabinet members, and presidential advisers are also using Telegram regularly, as claimed by the report. The French president, who boasts over 112,000 followers on the app, has been using Telegram since the early days of his first presidential campaign. Macron earlier on Thursday said that granting citizenship to Durov was a “good” thing, saying he is a high-profile figure who learnt French and contributed to the nation. “It’s part of a strategy to allow women and men, whether artists, athletes or entrepreneurs, when they make the effort to learn the French language and that they develop wealth, innovation … to be given French nationality,” Macron said. He also claimed that he was totally unaware of Durov’s arrival in France before his detention on Saturday (Aug 24). Some media reports earlier quoted the Telegram boss as saying he planned to meet the French president during his visit. “I was absolutely not aware of Mr Durov’s arrival in France,’’ Macron said, describing Durov’s arrest as “an independent act of French justice”. “It is false that I offered any kind of invitation to him,” he asserted. Meanwhile, UAE has expressed serious concern over Durov’s arrest to the French authorities, given he is also a national of the West Asian nation. Also read: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov freed from detention, to face a court now “Caring for citizens, preserving their interests, following up on their affairs, and providing them with all aspects of care are a top priority for the UAE,” the country’s foreign ministry warned. Notably, it’s not just the French president who uses the app, but leaders across the world are active on the platform. Watch: Telegram founder-CEO Pavel Durov charged in France × Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro boasts over 1.6 million followers on Telegram and remains active there. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the app regularly to communicate with his followers. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is also believed to have opened an account on the app. (With inputs from agencies)

Not-so-dangerous app? France detained Durov but President Macron can’t get enough of Telegram

Telegram boss Pavel Durov was released from detention on Wednesday (August 28) after four days. He will now face a French court for possible charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram, the popular messaging app used by over 900 million users worldwide.

He was arrested by the French authorities on Saturday (August 24).

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:115,&quot;w&quot;:830,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1959}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honeytrap-mossad-agent-who-is-juli-vavilova-mystery-woman-rumoured-to-be-behind-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-753464">Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov</a>

Pavel holds dual citizenship — UAE and France — and as per reports following his arrest, the United Arab Emirates has suspended a deal with France for the purchase of 80 warplanes. The country is seeking consular access to the Telegram boss.&nbsp;

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:151,&quot;w&quot;:926,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1995}">Why was Durov arrested?</h2>

On X, formerly Twitter, French President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case.

President Macron said that&nbsp;"the arrest of Telegram CEO&nbsp;on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation."&nbsp;

"It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," he added.

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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,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:577,&quot;y&quot;:445,&quot;w&quot;:94,&quot;h&quot;:14,&quot;abs_x&quot;:610,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2289}" href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1828077245606342672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris.&nbsp;The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:562,&quot;w&quot;:616,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2406}" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392">Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a>

He has reportedly been arrested as part of a preliminary investigation into a number of alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism on his platform.&nbsp;

France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov.

On Sunday (August 25), an investigating magistrate extended Durov's detention. In France, as per the law, the initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours and when this&nbsp;period ends, the magistrate can either free Durov or press charges and remand him in custody.

(With inputs from agencies)

Telegram boss Pavel Durov was released from detention on Wednesday (August 28) after four days. He will now face a French court for possible charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram, the popular messaging app used by over 900 million users worldwide.

Telegram boss Pavel Durov was released from detention on Wednesday (August 28) after four days. He will now face a French court for possible charges of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram, the popular messaging app used by over 900 million users worldwide. He was arrested by the French authorities on Saturday (August 24). Also read | Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Pavel holds dual citizenship — UAE and France — and as per reports following his arrest, the United Arab Emirates has suspended a deal with France for the purchase of 80 warplanes. The country is seeking consular access to the Telegram boss. Why was Durov arrested? On X, formerly Twitter, French President Emmanuel Macron said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case. President Macron said that "the arrest of Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation." "It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," he added. 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,… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024 × Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris. The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan. Also read | Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report He has reportedly been arrested as part of a preliminary investigation into a number of alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism on his platform. France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov. On Sunday (August 25), an investigating magistrate extended Durov's detention. In France, as per the law, the initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours and when this period ends, the magistrate can either free Durov or press charges and remand him in custody. (With inputs from agencies)

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov freed from detention, to face a court now

#Gravitas The titans of tech, the CEOs who were once considered untouchable, are now finding themselves in the crosshairs of governments worldwide. French authorities reportedly handed preliminary charges to Pavel Durov, the co-founder of Telegram on Wednesday for allowing alleged criminal activity on his messaging app and barred him from leaving France pending further investigation. As per reports, the Brazilian Supreme Court has issued an ultimatum to Elon Musk to appoint a legal representative for X in Brazil within 24 hours or face a nationwide ban. Watch in for more details!

Gravitas: Nations Target Social Media Tycoon Disruptors

France on Wednesday charged Pavel Durov, the founder and chief of Telegram, with a litany of violations related to the messaging app and banned him from leaving the country.

France charges Telegram CEO Durov with litany of violations related to app

Telegram founder-CEO Pavel Durov charged in France

France on Wednesday charged Pavel Durov, the founder and chief of Telegram, with a litany of violations related to the messaging app and banned him from leaving the country while allowing the billionaire to walk free after 4 days of being under arrest. Watch in for more details!

France charges  Pavel Durov with litany of violations related to app

Russia-born Telegram boss Pavel Durov is&nbsp;also being probed for 'serious acts of violence' against his child in France, news agency AFP has reported citing&nbsp;sources.

He was detained on Saturday (Aug&nbsp;24)&nbsp;as part of a probe into organised crime on the social media and messaging app.

Earlier, the Paris prosecutor’s office said Wednesday (Aug 28) that "an investigating judge has ended Pavel Durov’s police custody and will have him brought to court for a first appearance and a possible indictment".

The probe was launched by the French child welfare office recently and revolves around&nbsp;Durov's son born in 2017, who is now living in Switzerland after leaving France.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi075SnpZiIAxXbe_UHHRTtAbYQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi075SnpZiIAxXbe_UHHRTtAbYQxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE">Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a>

The 39-year-old executive&nbsp;was to appear in court Wednesday facing possible charges over 12 offences relating to his management of Telegram.

<h2>Allegations against Durov</h2>

Initial accusations&nbsp;against Durov concerned&nbsp;his alleged failure to moderate content on his messaging&nbsp;platform. Prosecutors alleged that&nbsp;his platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, fraud and abetting organised crime transactions.

Telegram vehemently denies these charges.&nbsp;

In a statement released on Monday (Aug 26), Telegram said it abided by European Union laws and its moderation was “within industry standards and constantly improving”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwi075SnpZiIAxXbe_UHHRTtAbYQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/who-is-pavel-durov-the-visionary-behind-telegram-messaging-app-now-detained-753346" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/who-is-pavel-durov-the-visionary-behind-telegram-messaging-app-now-detained-753346&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi075SnpZiIAxXbe_UHHRTtAbYQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Who is Pavel Durov, the visionary behind Telegram messaging app, now detained</a>

“Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” it said. “It is absurd to claim that a platform, or its owner, are responsible for abuse of that platform.”

Meanwhile, Durov's arrest has led to implications for Paris on the diplomatic front as well. Russia condemned the move whereas UAE also said it was following the developments closely. Notably,&nbsp;Durov is a UAE national too.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday that Russia was ready to provide Durov with all necessary assistance given his Russian citizenship. On the other hand, the UAE said,&nbsp;"the welfare, interests, and support of its citizens was a key priority for the government.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia-born Telegram boss Pavel Durov is also being probed for 'serious acts of violence' against his child in France, news agency AFP has reported citing sources.

Russia-born Telegram boss Pavel Durov is also being probed for 'serious acts of violence' against his child in France, news agency AFP has reported citing sources. He was detained on Saturday (Aug 24) as part of a probe into organised crime on the social media and messaging app. Earlier, the Paris prosecutor’s office said Wednesday (Aug 28) that "an investigating judge has ended Pavel Durov’s police custody and will have him brought to court for a first appearance and a possible indictment". The probe was launched by the French child welfare office recently and revolves around Durov's son born in 2017, who is now living in Switzerland after leaving France. Also read: Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report The 39-year-old executive was to appear in court Wednesday facing possible charges over 12 offences relating to his management of Telegram. Allegations against Durov Initial accusations against Durov concerned his alleged failure to moderate content on his messaging platform. Prosecutors alleged that his platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, fraud and abetting organised crime transactions. Telegram vehemently denies these charges. In a statement released on Monday (Aug 26), Telegram said it abided by European Union laws and its moderation was “within industry standards and constantly improving”. Also read: Who is Pavel Durov, the visionary behind Telegram messaging app, now detained “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” it said. “It is absurd to claim that a platform, or its owner, are responsible for abuse of that platform.” Meanwhile, Durov's arrest has led to implications for Paris on the diplomatic front as well. Russia condemned the move whereas UAE also said it was following the developments closely. Notably, Durov is a UAE national too. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday that Russia was ready to provide Durov with all necessary assistance given his Russian citizenship. On the other hand, the UAE said, "the welfare, interests, and support of its citizens was a key priority for the government.” (With inputs from agencies)

Telegram boss Pavel Durov being probed for 'serious acts of violence' against his child

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was released in Paris after questioning over the platform's alleged criminal violations. French prosecutors on Wednesday (August 28, 2024) freed Telegram CEO Pavel Durov from police custody after four days of questioning over allegations that the platform is being used for illegal activities. Following the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended the deal with France for 80 warplanes, according to a report.

Telegram CEO arrest row, UAE suspends Rafale deal

The Indian government has reportedly launched a major investigation into Telegram, examining the platform’s potential involvement in criminal activities such as extortion and gambling. This probe could result in a ban if the findings warrant it.

Is Telegram’s future in India uncertain?

Telegram's 5 million Indian users at risk amid prob

South Korea is witnessing an outcry over sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of women found in Telegram chatrooms, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Aug 27), citing state media.

South Korea is witnessing an outcry over sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of women found in Telegram chatrooms, the news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday (Aug 27), citing state media. During a televised cabinet meeting, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for digital sex crimes to be thoroughly investigated. "It's an exploitation of technology while relying on the protection of anonymity. It's a clear criminal act," President Yoon added. Also read | No 'political' motive behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, says French President Macron He talked about sex crimes on social media in general and did not mention Telegram by name. Surge in online deepfakes in South Korea Citing the police, Reuters reported on Tuesday that online deepfake crimes surged in South Korea. The police said that 297 cases were reported in the first seven months of 2024. That's up from 180 last year and nearly double the number in 2021 when data first began to be collated. The police added that most of the accused were teenagers and people in their 20s. An analysis by a local newspaper looked at Telegram channels where it said that deepfakes of female university and high and middle school students were being shared. Also watch | Gravitas: Why has the Telegram founder and CEO been arrested? × Earlier this week, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union said that it had been informed of some cases where school students had been the victims of sexual deepfakes. Sexually explicit deepfakes targeting female military personnel have also been found in Telegram chatrooms, according to the Military Sexual Abuse Victim Support Center, a group that supports victims of sexual abuse in the military. Impact on Telegram's reputation in South Korea Reuters further reported that Telegram's reputation has been tarnished for some years in the country after it emerged that an online sexual blackmail ring was operating mostly in the app's chatrooms. In 2020, the ring's leader, Cho Ju-bin, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for blackmailing at least 74 females, including 16 teenagers, into sending degrading and sometimes violent sexual imagery of themselves. These developments in South Korea come as Telegram's founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pavel Durov was arrested in France a few days back. On Monday, French prosecutors said that Durov's arrest was part of an investigation into crimes related to images of child sex abuse, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions on Telegram. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor said Durov's detention had been extended by up to 48 hours. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea sees outcry over sexual deepfakes in Telegram chatrooms

The Kremlin, on Tuesday (August 27) issued a sharp warning to France over the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov at a Paris airport last week. Labelling the charges against the Russian-born tech boss as "very serious," Moscow&nbsp;warned the Paril&nbsp;against trying to intimidate him.

Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates as per reports, has been accused of allegedly failing to curb illegal content on Telegram, including child exploitation, drug trafficking, and fraudulent activities.&nbsp;

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:147,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1836}">Politically motivated arrest or not?</h2>

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested Durov's arrest was politically motivated, a charge denied by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (August 26).

Macron in a post on X, said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:145,&quot;w&quot;:783,&quot;h&quot;:33,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1985}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honeytrap-mossad-agent-who-is-juli-vavilova-mystery-woman-rumoured-to-be-behind-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-753464">Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov</a>

He stressed that&nbsp;"the arrest of Telegram CEO&nbsp;on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation."&nbsp;

"It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," Macron&nbsp;added.

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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,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:521,&quot;y&quot;:495,&quot;w&quot;:94,&quot;h&quot;:14,&quot;abs_x&quot;:554,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2184}" href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1828077245606342672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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However, the&nbsp;Kremlin spokesman suggested otherwise, reports AFP.

He said that the charges were "indeed very serious, they require no less serious evidence".

"Otherwise this would be a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication, and, I might even say, directly intimidate the head of a large company," Peskov stated, adding, "That is to say, precisely the policy that Mr Macron denied yesterday."

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:692,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2381}">Durov to be held in custody till Wednesday</h2>

The Kremlin's statement comes as reports suggest that the Telegram boss could be held in French custody for at least another day — till Wednesday (August 28). As per Reuters, French prosecutors said they had granted extra time for Pavel Durov's questioning.

The arrest has drawn additional attention due to the timing. Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's State Duma, and a senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has alleged that the United States was behind the arrest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-political-motive-behind-telegram-ceo-pavel-durovs-arrest-says-french-president-macron-753482">No 'political' motive behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, says French President Macron</a>

Volodin, the chairman of Russia's lower house of parliament, alleged that America was seeking to exert control over Telegram ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.&nbsp;

"Telegram is one of the few and at the same time the largest Internet platform over which the United States has no influence," he said in a post.

"On the eve of the US presidential election, it is important for (President Joe) Biden to take Telegram under control," Volodin asserted.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Kremlin, on Tuesday (August 27) issued a sharp warning to France over the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov at a Paris airport last week. Labelling the charges against the Russian-born tech boss as "very serious," Moscow warned the Paril against trying to intimidate him.

The Kremlin, on Tuesday (August 27) issued a sharp warning to France over the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov at a Paris airport last week. Labelling the charges against the Russian-born tech boss as "very serious," Moscow warned the Paril against trying to intimidate him. Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates as per reports, has been accused of allegedly failing to curb illegal content on Telegram, including child exploitation, drug trafficking, and fraudulent activities. Politically motivated arrest or not? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested Durov's arrest was politically motivated, a charge denied by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (August 26). Macron in a post on X, said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case. Also read | Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov He stressed that "the arrest of Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation." "It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," Macron added. 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,… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024 × However, the Kremlin spokesman suggested otherwise, reports AFP. He said that the charges were "indeed very serious, they require no less serious evidence". "Otherwise this would be a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication, and, I might even say, directly intimidate the head of a large company," Peskov stated, adding, "That is to say, precisely the policy that Mr Macron denied yesterday." Durov to be held in custody till Wednesday The Kremlin's statement comes as reports suggest that the Telegram boss could be held in French custody for at least another day — till Wednesday (August 28). As per Reuters, French prosecutors said they had granted extra time for Pavel Durov's questioning. The arrest has drawn additional attention due to the timing. Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's State Duma, and a senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has alleged that the United States was behind the arrest. Also read | No 'political' motive behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, says French President Macron Volodin, the chairman of Russia's lower house of parliament, alleged that America was seeking to exert control over Telegram ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. "Telegram is one of the few and at the same time the largest Internet platform over which the United States has no influence," he said in a post. "On the eve of the US presidential election, it is important for (President Joe) Biden to take Telegram under control," Volodin asserted. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia warns France against intimidating Pavel Durov; Telegram CEO's custody extended till Aug 28

Where does privacy end and criminal secrecy begin? And when is law enforcement an act of breach of human rights, confidentiality, or privacy? These are philosophical questions that hang in the air after the arrest in France of Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the controversial messenger app Telegram, which has replaced or supplemented WhatsApp, &nbsp;Facebook, and Instagram (all incidentally owned by Meta) for hundreds of millions of users concerned over whether, how much and why they may be snooped on — by hackers, trouble makers and law enforcement authorities alike.

Now, imagine a situation where the local police have the authority to enter any room in a hotel at midnight looking for criminals.

Theoretically, it is law enforcement at work, but then what is the default option for law enforcers? Is it an obligation to respect privacy or a right to enforce the law?

The arrival of Telegram has queered the pitch. By most accounts, it has become a sort of official go-to place for those who cannot access the Dark Web, or "darknet" the hidden part of the internet that's not indexed by search engines and accessible only to those with some browsers.

Pavel and Nikolai Durov launched Telegram in 2013. The app now boasts of 950 million users, a big jump from 550 million users in 2022. You can imagine how viral its growth has been.

France says there is no politics behind the detention of 39-year-old Durov, but the Paris prosecutor has said he is being investigated over allegations of illegal transactions, fraud, child pornography, and failure to provide information to authorities.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-political-motive-behind-telegram-ceo-pavel-durovs-arrest-says-french-president-macron-753482">No 'political' motive behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, says French President Macron</a>

Indian authorities are said to be investigating the use of Telegram for extortion and gambling rackets even as there are rumours of an impending ban on the app. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392">Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a>

Telegram was also used to illegally leak examination papers in India's common university and medical school entrance examinations conducted by the government. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)&nbsp;has found instances of stock market manipulation using the messenger app. It stands to common sense that every country will have its own variation of the Telegram abuse story.

Telegram has officially slammed it "absurd" to hold the platform or its owner responsible for the abuse of the app. It seems correct on the face of it. But the catch might lie in the accusation that Telegram has failed "to provide information to authorities."

Given the global nature of the messenger app, one is not clear under which law, and in what manner is giving information to authorities an obligation that overpowers the right of an individual user, who in effect is switching to Telegram precisely because it offers encryption-based confidentiality and privacy.

Telegram chats use not only end-to-end encryption, but also a "secret chats" feature that involves a key that only the user and his/her recipient know. Imagine it like a locked room inside a safe house that has only two keys. It sounds fine in a jurisdiction that has clear privacy laws, but the world is a big place. Even in defined jurisdictions, authorities can and do have search warrants where required.&nbsp;

Telegram falls into a grey legal area because it is a global app in a virtual world in which a lot can be exchanged including information and content whose financial and criminal motifs can be concealed.

However, there is a clear and present danger if Telegram acts like an uncooperative hotel owner when the police come looking for trouble. It is a damned-if-I-do-damned-if-I-don't situation. &nbsp;If it obeys the law, it violates a core promise to its customers -- and vice versa.

The United States has laws including the First Amendment that protect press freedom and free speech.

Telegram can always invoke that as well as the Right to Privacy (incidentally upheld by the Supreme Court of India) to claim innocence. But hate speech and child porn are illegal stuff even in liberal democracies such as those in Western Europe.

The Council of Europe's Convention for the Protection of Individuals on Personal Data is said to be the only legally binding international agreement that protects privacy and personal data globally.

But, as a European state media report observed, the attention is on Telegram's "hands-off approach to content moderation" that may inflame unrest or serve as a conduit for criminal activity.

This is a bit like saying that a hotel owner has partial if not full responsibility to ensure that her premises are not used for criminal or illegal acts.

We are clearly entering a no man's zone of international law here, and one that involves new nuances. The elite Group of 20 nations (G20) is indeed aware of some things that need to be done, but it seems what we need is not a data protection initiative alone, but also a set of safeguards against abuse of privacy.

Meeting at Sao Luis in Brazil in June, the G20's Digital Economy Working Group discussed "strategies for safe internet usage, with a focus on data protection" and called for 'multi-sectoral collaboration. "

Pavel Durov's arrest only underscores that the agenda must be expanded to include safeguards against abuse of data protection laws by criminal elements. It is easier said than done in the backdrop of the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts and China's "Great Wall" approach to nearly everything! The internet is global but geopolitics is still the same old monster. &nbsp;

Durov is a Russian-born and you just need to look at his citizenship record to get an idea of where things can go. From 2013 to 2021 he was a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean and took up United Arab Emirates citizenship alongside that of France in 2021. Dual citizenship and offshore havens are now part of the problem.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Why has the Telegram founder and CEO been arrested?

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It seems Europe and the US, which typically lead calls for privacy and freedom respectively, need some Asian-style middle path. &nbsp;India, which relinquished the G20 presidency last year, can perhaps step in there to do some interlocuting.

Disclaimer: The writer's views do not represent those of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Where does privacy end and criminal secrecy begin? And when is law enforcement an act of breach of human rights, confidentiality, or privacy? These are philosophical questions that hang in the air after the arrest in France of Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the controversial messenger app Telegram, which has replaced or supplemented WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram (all incidentally owned by Meta) for hundreds of millions of users concerned over whether, how much and why they may be snooped on — by hackers, trouble makers and law enforcement authorities alike.

Where does privacy end and criminal secrecy begin? And when is law enforcement an act of breach of human rights, confidentiality, or privacy? These are philosophical questions that hang in the air after the arrest in France of Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the controversial messenger app Telegram, which has replaced or supplemented WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram (all incidentally owned by Meta) for hundreds of millions of users concerned over whether, how much and why they may be snooped on — by hackers, trouble makers and law enforcement authorities alike. Now, imagine a situation where the local police have the authority to enter any room in a hotel at midnight looking for criminals. Theoretically, it is law enforcement at work, but then what is the default option for law enforcers? Is it an obligation to respect privacy or a right to enforce the law? The arrival of Telegram has queered the pitch. By most accounts, it has become a sort of official go-to place for those who cannot access the Dark Web, or "darknet" the hidden part of the internet that's not indexed by search engines and accessible only to those with some browsers. Pavel and Nikolai Durov launched Telegram in 2013. The app now boasts of 950 million users, a big jump from 550 million users in 2022. You can imagine how viral its growth has been. France says there is no politics behind the detention of 39-year-old Durov, but the Paris prosecutor has said he is being investigated over allegations of illegal transactions, fraud, child pornography, and failure to provide information to authorities. Also read | No 'political' motive behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, says French President Macron Indian authorities are said to be investigating the use of Telegram for extortion and gambling rackets even as there are rumours of an impending ban on the app. Also read | Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report Telegram was also used to illegally leak examination papers in India's common university and medical school entrance examinations conducted by the government. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has found instances of stock market manipulation using the messenger app. It stands to common sense that every country will have its own variation of the Telegram abuse story. Telegram has officially slammed it "absurd" to hold the platform or its owner responsible for the abuse of the app. It seems correct on the face of it. But the catch might lie in the accusation that Telegram has failed "to provide information to authorities." Given the global nature of the messenger app, one is not clear under which law, and in what manner is giving information to authorities an obligation that overpowers the right of an individual user, who in effect is switching to Telegram precisely because it offers encryption-based confidentiality and privacy. Telegram chats use not only end-to-end encryption, but also a "secret chats" feature that involves a key that only the user and his/her recipient know. Imagine it like a locked room inside a safe house that has only two keys. It sounds fine in a jurisdiction that has clear privacy laws, but the world is a big place. Even in defined jurisdictions, authorities can and do have search warrants where required. Telegram falls into a grey legal area because it is a global app in a virtual world in which a lot can be exchanged including information and content whose financial and criminal motifs can be concealed. However, there is a clear and present danger if Telegram acts like an uncooperative hotel owner when the police come looking for trouble. It is a damned-if-I-do-damned-if-I-don't situation. If it obeys the law, it violates a core promise to its customers -- and vice versa. The United States has laws including the First Amendment that protect press freedom and free speech. Telegram can always invoke that as well as the Right to Privacy (incidentally upheld by the Supreme Court of India) to claim innocence. But hate speech and child porn are illegal stuff even in liberal democracies such as those in Western Europe. The Council of Europe's Convention for the Protection of Individuals on Personal Data is said to be the only legally binding international agreement that protects privacy and personal data globally. But, as a European state media report observed, the attention is on Telegram's "hands-off approach to content moderation" that may inflame unrest or serve as a conduit for criminal activity. This is a bit like saying that a hotel owner has partial if not full responsibility to ensure that her premises are not used for criminal or illegal acts. We are clearly entering a no man's zone of international law here, and one that involves new nuances. The elite Group of 20 nations (G20) is indeed aware of some things that need to be done, but it seems what we need is not a data protection initiative alone, but also a set of safeguards against abuse of privacy. Meeting at Sao Luis in Brazil in June, the G20's Digital Economy Working Group discussed "strategies for safe internet usage, with a focus on data protection" and called for 'multi-sectoral collaboration. " Pavel Durov's arrest only underscores that the agenda must be expanded to include safeguards against abuse of data protection laws by criminal elements. It is easier said than done in the backdrop of the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts and China's "Great Wall" approach to nearly everything! The internet is global but geopolitics is still the same old monster. Durov is a Russian-born and you just need to look at his citizenship record to get an idea of where things can go. From 2013 to 2021 he was a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean and took up United Arab Emirates citizenship alongside that of France in 2021. Dual citizenship and offshore havens are now part of the problem. Also watch | Gravitas: Why has the Telegram founder and CEO been arrested? × It seems Europe and the US, which typically lead calls for privacy and freedom respectively, need some Asian-style middle path. India, which relinquished the G20 presidency last year, can perhaps step in there to do some interlocuting. Disclaimer: The writer's views do not represent those of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Telegram app founder arrest shows global warts in data privacy and internet freedom, G20 must step in

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, according to two unidentified police sources cited by TF1 TV and BFM TV, was detained at Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening.

TF1 and BFM were both informed the investigation had been orientated towards the lack of moderation on Telegram, and police were considering whether to allow this state of affairs to continue to let activity be conducted unhindered on the messaging app.

Telegram did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The French Interior Ministry and police had no immediate comment. Russia, which had tried to ban Telegram earlier, said it had started taking measures to "clarify" Durov's situation.

What is known about Durov and Telegram

Pavel Durov, 39, is a Russian-born founder and owner of the messaging app Telegram. This free-to-use messaging app platform competes in the markets with other social media platforms such as WhatsApp from Facebook or Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat. It targets to break one billion active monthly users within a year.

In Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union republics, Telegram is very powerful. It has developed into a crucial source of information regarding Russia's war against Ukraine, with officials in both Moscow and Kyiv using it to a great extent. Some analysts label the app "a virtual battlefield" for the war.

Pavel Durov, whose fortune Forbes pegged at $15.5 billion, had left Russia in 2014 after refusing to yield to government pressure that he shut opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he sold.

He holds a citizenship in France from August 2021. He moved to Dubai in 2017 with Telegram, and according to French media reports, he has also received UAE citizenship since then. He is also a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, a dual-island nation in the Caribbean, according to media reports.

In April 2018, Russia initiated blocking the popular messaging app Telegram for refusing to pass the keys to its users' messages on to state security services. It was quite an ineffective measure concerning the effect on the availability of Telegram within the country, but it created mass protests in Moscow and drew criticism from NGOs.

With Telegram's growing popularity, European countries like France began investigating Telegram for security and data breach issues. Earlier in May, it was reported that the EU tech regulators were reaching out to Telegram, crossing one of the main criteria of usage, which may bring additional broader responsibilities under the historic EU online content law.&nbsp;

In April, Durov confided to US journalist Tucker Carlson: "I would rather be free than take orders from anyone" — explaining his escape from Russia and the quest for a base for his company, which took him and Telegram through Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, according to two unidentified police sources cited by TF1 TV and BFM TV, was detained at Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening.

Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, according to two unidentified police sources cited by TF1 TV and BFM TV, was detained at Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening. TF1 and BFM were both informed the investigation had been orientated towards the lack of moderation on Telegram, and police were considering whether to allow this state of affairs to continue to let activity be conducted unhindered on the messaging app. Telegram did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The French Interior Ministry and police had no immediate comment. Russia, which had tried to ban Telegram earlier, said it had started taking measures to "clarify" Durov's situation. What is known about Durov and Telegram Pavel Durov, 39, is a Russian-born founder and owner of the messaging app Telegram. This free-to-use messaging app platform competes in the markets with other social media platforms such as WhatsApp from Facebook or Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat. It targets to break one billion active monthly users within a year. In Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union republics, Telegram is very powerful. It has developed into a crucial source of information regarding Russia's war against Ukraine, with officials in both Moscow and Kyiv using it to a great extent. Some analysts label the app "a virtual battlefield" for the war. Pavel Durov, whose fortune Forbes pegged at $15.5 billion, had left Russia in 2014 after refusing to yield to government pressure that he shut opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he sold. He holds a citizenship in France from August 2021. He moved to Dubai in 2017 with Telegram, and according to French media reports, he has also received UAE citizenship since then. He is also a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, a dual-island nation in the Caribbean, according to media reports. In April 2018, Russia initiated blocking the popular messaging app Telegram for refusing to pass the keys to its users' messages on to state security services. It was quite an ineffective measure concerning the effect on the availability of Telegram within the country, but it created mass protests in Moscow and drew criticism from NGOs. With Telegram's growing popularity, European countries like France began investigating Telegram for security and data breach issues. Earlier in May, it was reported that the EU tech regulators were reaching out to Telegram, crossing one of the main criteria of usage, which may bring additional broader responsibilities under the historic EU online content law. In April, Durov confided to US journalist Tucker Carlson: "I would rather be free than take orders from anyone" — explaining his escape from Russia and the quest for a base for his company, which took him and Telegram through Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.

Who is Pavel Durov, the visionary behind Telegram messaging app, now detained

As French judicial authorities extended the detention of&nbsp;Pavel Durov, the likes of Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among others came out in support of the founder and Telegram CEO.&nbsp;

Musk was the first to come out in solidarity and posted an interview clip of Pavel with former Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson wherein the Telegram boss talked about the US authorities wanting him to install a backdoor in the app which would allow the likes of the FBI, CIA and other security agencies to monitor the users.&nbsp;

Musk posted a #FreePavel hashtag and later wrote,&nbsp;"POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreePavel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreePavel</a> 
<a href="https://t.co/B7AcJWswMs">pic.twitter.com/B7AcJWswMs</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827572720936030703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme <a href="https://t.co/OkZ6YS3u2P">https://t.co/OkZ6YS3u2P</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827484648454418881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Musk also slammed Mark Zuckerberg by quote-posting a user who questioned why the Meta CEO had not been arrested for similar allegations as those faced by Durov.&nbsp;

“Because he already caved into censorship pressure. Instagram has a massive child exploitation problem, but no arrest for Zuck, as he censors free speech and gives governments backdoor access to user data," wrote Musk.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-arrested-in-france-753254">Watch |&nbsp;Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France&nbsp;</a>

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Meanwhile, RFK Jr. slammed the Emmanuel Macron government for attempting to curb free speech.

"France just arrested Pavel Durov, founder &amp; CEO of the encrypted, uncensored Telegram platform. The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent," wrote RFK Jr.&nbsp;

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France just arrested Pavel Durov, founder &amp; CEO of the encrypted, uncensored Telegram platform. The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1827540616282055012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Why has Durov been arrested?</h2>

Durov was arrested by&nbsp;French authorities on Saturday evening (Aug 24) at Le Bourget airport near Paris when he was travelling from Azerbaijan on a private jet. He was arrested for Telegram failing to curb fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime, and promotion of terrorism on the messaging app.

After his arrest, Telegram issued a statement, stating&nbsp;Durov had "nothing to hide" despite the allegations suggesting otherwise.&nbsp;

"Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act -- its moderation is within industry standards," the company said in a statement published via the app.

"Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.&nbsp;It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/telegram-chief-executive-pavel-durov-arrested-in-france-expected-to-appear-in-court-753047">Also read |&nbsp;Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov arrested in France, faces possible indictment</a>

With a net worth, estimated by Forbes, at $15.5 billion, Durov left Russia in 2014. His departure followed his refusal to comply with a Russian court order demanding access to Telegram’s encrypted messages.

In August 2021, Durov became a French citizen. He moved himself and Telegram to Dubai in 2017. Reports indicate that he has also acquired citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation.

(With inputs from agencies)

As French judicial authorities extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the likes of Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among others came out in support of the founder and Telegram CEO.

As French judicial authorities extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the likes of Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among others came out in support of the founder and Telegram CEO. Musk was the first to come out in solidarity and posted an interview clip of Pavel with former Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson wherein the Telegram boss talked about the US authorities wanting him to install a backdoor in the app which would allow the likes of the FBI, CIA and other security agencies to monitor the users. Musk posted a #FreePavel hashtag and later wrote, "POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme." #FreePavel pic.twitter.com/B7AcJWswMs — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 25, 2024 × POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme https://t.co/OkZ6YS3u2P — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 24, 2024 × Musk also slammed Mark Zuckerberg by quote-posting a user who questioned why the Meta CEO had not been arrested for similar allegations as those faced by Durov. “Because he already caved into censorship pressure. Instagram has a massive child exploitation problem, but no arrest for Zuck, as he censors free speech and gives governments backdoor access to user data," wrote Musk. Watch | Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France × Meanwhile, RFK Jr. slammed the Emmanuel Macron government for attempting to curb free speech. "France just arrested Pavel Durov, founder & CEO of the encrypted, uncensored Telegram platform. The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent," wrote RFK Jr. France just arrested Pavel Durov, founder & CEO of the encrypted, uncensored Telegram platform. The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent. — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) August 25, 2024 × Why has Durov been arrested? Durov was arrested by French authorities on Saturday evening (Aug 24) at Le Bourget airport near Paris when he was travelling from Azerbaijan on a private jet. He was arrested for Telegram failing to curb fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime, and promotion of terrorism on the messaging app. After his arrest, Telegram issued a statement, stating Durov had "nothing to hide" despite the allegations suggesting otherwise. "Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act -- its moderation is within industry standards," the company said in a statement published via the app. "Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform." Also read | Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov arrested in France, faces possible indictment With a net worth, estimated by Forbes, at $15.5 billion, Durov left Russia in 2014. His departure followed his refusal to comply with a Russian court order demanding access to Telegram’s encrypted messages. In August 2021, Durov became a French citizen. He moved himself and Telegram to Dubai in 2017. Reports indicate that he has also acquired citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation. (With inputs from agencies)

From RFK Jr. to Elon Musk, calls rise to free Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (August 26) denied any "political" link to the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.

Durov was arrested by the French authorities on Saturday (August 24) allegedly over failing to curb the spread of illegal content and activities on Telegram, a platform with over 900 million users.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Macron said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:145,&quot;w&quot;:783,&quot;h&quot;:33,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1985}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honeytrap-mossad-agent-who-is-juli-vavilova-mystery-woman-rumoured-to-be-behind-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-753464">Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:197,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2037}">So why was Durov arrested?</h2>

President Macron said that&nbsp;"the arrest of Telegram CEO&nbsp;on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation."&nbsp;

"It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," he added.

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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,…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1828077245606342672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Pavel Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris.&nbsp;The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:371,&quot;w&quot;:616,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2211}" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392">Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a>

He has reportedly been arrested as part of a preliminary investigation into a number of alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism on his platform.&nbsp;

France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov.

On Sunday (August 25), an investigating magistrate extended Durov's detention. In France, as per the law, the initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours and when this&nbsp;period ends, the magistrate can either free Durov or press charges and remand him in custody.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:571,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2411}">Telegram denies charges, Kremlin has no information about arrest</h2>

The Kremlin said on Monday (August 26) that it had received no information from France on why it was holding Pavel Durov.

"We do not know concretely what Durov is accused of. We have not heard any official declaration on this subject," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Before saying anything, we need to wait for the situation to become clearer… Without that, it would be inappropriate to comment," he added.

Durov's company, Telegram, said that "Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe."

"Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act -- its moderation is within industry standards," it added.

"It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform."

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (August 26) denied any "political" link to the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Durov was arrested by the French authorities on Saturday (August 24) allegedly over failing to curb the spread of illegal content and activities on Telegram, a platform with over 900 million users.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (August 26) denied any "political" link to the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Durov was arrested by the French authorities on Saturday (August 24) allegedly over failing to curb the spread of illegal content and activities on Telegram, a platform with over 900 million users. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Macron said that he was addressing "false information" concerning the case. Also read | Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov So why was Durov arrested? President Macron said that "the arrest of Telegram CEO on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation." "It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter," he added. 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,… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024 × Pavel Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris. The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan. Also read | Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report He has reportedly been arrested as part of a preliminary investigation into a number of alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and promotion of terrorism on his platform. France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov. On Sunday (August 25), an investigating magistrate extended Durov's detention. In France, as per the law, the initial detention for questioning can last up to 96 hours and when this period ends, the magistrate can either free Durov or press charges and remand him in custody. Telegram denies charges, Kremlin has no information about arrest The Kremlin said on Monday (August 26) that it had received no information from France on why it was holding Pavel Durov. "We do not know concretely what Durov is accused of. We have not heard any official declaration on this subject," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Before saying anything, we need to wait for the situation to become clearer… Without that, it would be inappropriate to comment," he added. Durov's company, Telegram, said that "Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe." "Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act -- its moderation is within industry standards," it added. "It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform." (With inputs from agencies)

No 'political' motive behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, says French President Macron

The founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov has reportedly been arrested. Molly Gambhir tells you more about the man who was once dubbed the 'Russian Zuckerberg.'

Gravitas: Why has the Telegram founder and CEO been arrested?

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested on Saturday (August 24) upon landing in France on his private jet, was accompanied by a mystery woman, as per reports. The woman has been identified as Juli Vavilova, a 24-year-old "crypto coach" who is believed to be behind his arrest.

Here's everything you need to know about mystery woman Juli Vavilova:

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:116,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1956}">Who is Juli Vavilova?&nbsp;</h2>

Juli Vavilova is a crypto coach and streamer based in Dubai. Active on social media platforms, including Instagram, she describes herself as a gamer interested in "Gaming, crypto, languages, and mindset".

The 24-year-old is believed to be Durov's girlfriend and, as per reports, she might be behind the Telegram CEO's arrest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:241,&quot;w&quot;:616,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2081}" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392">Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:277,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2117}">Is she a Mossad agent?</h2>

Speculations on social media have been plenty since Durov's arrest.&nbsp;One wild theory suggests that Vavilova is a Mossad agent who was planted as a honey trap to aid the capture of Pavel Durov.&nbsp;

Other theories propose that she herself was under Mossad surveillance and her frequent posts on social media that showed her in the same locations as Durov led to his arrest. She has posted photos from many of the places Durov was at — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.&nbsp;

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:440,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2280}">Why was Pavel Durov arrested?</h2>

Pavel Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris.

The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:565,&quot;w&quot;:616,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2405}" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/telegram-gets-probed-by-indian-govt-for-gambling-and-extortion-may-face-ban-report-753392">Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report</a>

He has been arrested for failing to take action to curb the criminal use of his platform. France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov.

The Kremlin on Monday (August 26) said it had received no information from France on why it was holding Pavel Durov.

"We do not know concretely what Durov is accused of. We have not heard any official declaration on this subject," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Before saying anything, we need to wait for the situation to become clearer… Without that, it would be inappropriate to comment," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested on Saturday (August 24) upon landing in France on his private jet, was accompanied by a mystery woman, as per reports.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested on Saturday (August 24) upon landing in France on his private jet, was accompanied by a mystery woman, as per reports. The woman has been identified as Juli Vavilova, a 24-year-old "crypto coach" who is believed to be behind his arrest. Here's everything you need to know about mystery woman Juli Vavilova: Who is Juli Vavilova? Juli Vavilova is a crypto coach and streamer based in Dubai. Active on social media platforms, including Instagram, she describes herself as a gamer interested in "Gaming, crypto, languages, and mindset". The 24-year-old is believed to be Durov's girlfriend and, as per reports, she might be behind the Telegram CEO's arrest. Also read | Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report Is she a Mossad agent? Speculations on social media have been plenty since Durov's arrest. One wild theory suggests that Vavilova is a Mossad agent who was planted as a honey trap to aid the capture of Pavel Durov. Other theories propose that she herself was under Mossad surveillance and her frequent posts on social media that showed her in the same locations as Durov led to his arrest. She has posted photos from many of the places Durov was at — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Why was Pavel Durov arrested? Pavel Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with dual French-Russian citizenship, was arrested on Saturday after flying into Le Bourget airport outside Paris. The 39-year-old billionaire, as per reports, was flying from Azerbaijan. Also read | Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report He has been arrested for failing to take action to curb the criminal use of his platform. France's OFMIN, a body tasked with preventing violence against minors, as per the news agency AFP, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov. The Kremlin on Monday (August 26) said it had received no information from France on why it was holding Pavel Durov. "We do not know concretely what Durov is accused of. We have not heard any official declaration on this subject," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Before saying anything, we need to wait for the situation to become clearer… Without that, it would be inappropriate to comment," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Honeytrap? Mossad agent? Who is Juli Vavilova, mystery woman rumoured to be behind Telegram CEO’s arrest

The founder and CEO of the messaging service Telegram, Pavel Durov was arrested Saturday night at an airport near Paris, he is currently in custody or allegations related to his messaging app's role in criminal activities. Watch in for more details!

Telegram CEO Durov arrested in France over multiple charges

The messaging app Telegram is being investigated by the Indian government after concerns were raised regarding the company indulging in criminal activities like gambling and extortion, Indian news website Moneycontrol claimed in a report.&nbsp;

A government official informed the media platform about the development and added that the messaging app faces the risk of getting banned on the basis of the findings of the investigations, Moneycontrol reported.&nbsp;

The reports of the investigation emerged after the 39-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Telegram Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the moderation policies of the application.&nbsp;

According to reports, he was detained by the police because he could not prevent criminal activities on the application.

"The Indian Cybercrime Co-ordination Centre (I4C) (under MHA) and MeitY have been looking into P2P communications on Telegram," said a government official, while speaking to Moneycontrol.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-pavel-durov-telegram-founder-and-ceo-arrested-in-france-753116">Who is Pavel Durov? Telegram founder and CEO arrested in France</a>

According to Moneycontrol's report, the investigation is being conducted by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Home Affairs which are looking into criminal activities like extortion and gambling.

<h2>Telegram's India presence and involvement in criminal activities</h2>

In India, Telegram has more than 5 million registered users. The social media platform was in the news for becoming the place where the medical entrance exam papers were leaked and widely shared which led to the UGC-NEET controversy.

The government authorities have found it challenging to investigate Telegram because it does not have operations in India.

Direct communication has always been hindered because of the absence of local offices, which has complicated the efforts to get user data.

"We will examine the kind of material that we get and based on our laws, we will come to a conclusion," said the official, while speaking to Moneycontrol.

Watch:&nbsp;Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-arrested-in-france-753254/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

French authorities arrested Durov at Bourget airport&nbsp;outside Paris and he is being investigated for the lack of moderators on Telegram.&nbsp;

As per Moneycontrol, because of this situation, criminal activities went on undeterred on the application.&nbsp;

The company released a statement on August 26, in which it said, "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all... It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform."

(With inputs from agencies)

The messaging app Telegram is being investigated by the Indian government after concerns were raised regarding the company indulging in criminal activities like gambling and extortion, Indian news website Moneycontrol claimed in a report.

The messaging app Telegram is being investigated by the Indian government after concerns were raised regarding the company indulging in criminal activities like gambling and extortion, Indian news website Moneycontrol claimed in a report. A government official informed the media platform about the development and added that the messaging app faces the risk of getting banned on the basis of the findings of the investigations, Moneycontrol reported. The reports of the investigation emerged after the 39-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Telegram Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the moderation policies of the application. According to reports, he was detained by the police because he could not prevent criminal activities on the application. "The Indian Cybercrime Co-ordination Centre (I4C) (under MHA) and MeitY have been looking into P2P communications on Telegram," said a government official, while speaking to Moneycontrol. Also Read: Who is Pavel Durov? Telegram founder and CEO arrested in France According to Moneycontrol's report, the investigation is being conducted by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Home Affairs which are looking into criminal activities like extortion and gambling. Telegram's India presence and involvement in criminal activities In India, Telegram has more than 5 million registered users. The social media platform was in the news for becoming the place where the medical entrance exam papers were leaked and widely shared which led to the UGC-NEET controversy. The government authorities have found it challenging to investigate Telegram because it does not have operations in India. Direct communication has always been hindered because of the absence of local offices, which has complicated the efforts to get user data. "We will examine the kind of material that we get and based on our laws, we will come to a conclusion," said the official, while speaking to Moneycontrol. Watch: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France French authorities arrested Durov at Bourget airport outside Paris and he is being investigated for the lack of moderators on Telegram. As per Moneycontrol, because of this situation, criminal activities went on undeterred on the application. The company released a statement on August 26, in which it said, "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all... It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform." (With inputs from agencies)

Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday evening while leaving his private jet at France’s Bourget airport. Watch in for more details!

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France

Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov was arrested by the French police at the Le Bourget airport near Paris for alleged offences related to his popular messaging app, the news agency AFP reported on Sunday (Aug 25) citing sources.

Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov was arrested by the French police at the Le Bourget airport near Paris for alleged offences related to his popular messaging app, the news agency AFP reported on Sunday (Aug 25) citing sources. Durov was travelling aboard his private jet and was arrested as the police investigation alleges that a lack of moderators on Telegram allows criminal activity, like fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and the promotion of terrorism, to go on undeterred on the messaging app. Durov, 39, was arrested on Saturday evening and is expected to appear in court later on Sunday. He had arrived in France from Azerbaijan, one of the sources told AFP. Durov faces possible indictment, according to French media. The other source said that France's OFMIN, an office tasked with preventing violence against minors, issued an arrest warrant for Durov in a preliminary investigation into alleged offences including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and promotion of terrorism. Durov is accused of failing to take action to curb the criminal use of his platform. Also read: Be more attentive: Kremlin's note of caution to Telegram owner following Moscow terror attack The reactions Reacting to Durov's arrest, X owner Elon Musk said, "It's 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme." A report by the news agency Reuters said that several Russian bloggers called for protests at French embassies throughout the world at noon on Sunday. Russia's representative to international organisations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, and several other Russian politicians was quick on Sunday to accuse France of acting as a dictatorship - the same criticism that Moscow faced when putting demands on Durov in 2014 and trying to ban Telegram in 2018. The Russian foreign ministry said its embassy in Paris was clarifying the situation around Durov and called on Western non-governmental organisations to demand his release. Telegram and the Ukraine war Russian-born Durov founded Telegram with his brother in 2013. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he sold. After the Ukraine war began in late February 2022, Telegram has become the main source of unfiltered - and sometimes graphic and misleading - content from both sides about the war and the politics surrounding it. (With inputs from agencies)

Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov arrested in France, faces possible indictment

Messaging services Telegram and WhatsApp briefly suffered a major outage in Russia on Wednesday, said the country's media regulator Roskomnadzor, which blamed a cyberattack.

Russia blames cyberattack over Telegram, WhatsApp outage

Telegram's founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov made a shocking revelation as he claimed he has more than "100 biological kids".

Taking to the messaging application, the CEO shared about his biological kids and the plan ahead with his 5.7 million subscribers.&nbsp;

"I was just told that I have over 100 biological kids. How is this possible for a guy who has never been married and prefers to live alone?" Durov said.

He explained that nearly 15 years ago, a friend came to him with a "weird request".&nbsp;

"He said that he and his wife couldn't have kids due to a fertility issue and asked me to donate sperm at a clinic for them to have a baby. I laughed my ass off before realizing he was dead serious," the Telegram founder said.

He said that the head of the clinic told him that "high-quality donor material" was in short supply. The doctor further said that it was Durov's "civic duty to donate more sperm to anonymously help more couples."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netflix-co-founder-reed-hastings-7mn-donation-to-kamala-harris-triggers-boycott-calls-744525">Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings' $7 million donation to Kamala Harris' prez campaign triggers boycott calls</a>

"This sounded crazy enough to get me to sign up for sperm donation. Fast forward to 2024, my past donating activity has helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have kids. Moreover, many years after I stopped being a donor, at least one IVF clinic still has my frozen sperm available for anonymous use by families who want to have kids," he said.&nbsp;

<h2>Entrepreneur Pavel Durov speaks about the plan ahead</h2>

The 39-year-old entrepreneur said that he has now made plans to open-source his DNA which will help his biological children find each other.&nbsp;

Speaking about the importance of healthy sperm, Durov said that he is proud that he did his duty.&nbsp;

"Of course, there are risks, but I don't regret having been a donor. The shortage of healthy sperm has become an increasingly serious issue worldwide, and I'm proud that I did my part to help alleviate it. I also want to help destigmatize the whole notion of sperm donation and incentivize more healthy men to do it, so that families struggling to have kids can enjoy more options. Defy convention - redefine the norm," the CEO wrote on Telegram.

<img alt="p1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cba5476f-5883-4e5e-8157-b3c36ad2e6d2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pavel%20Durov.png" />

The Telegram CEO's post has received more than 1.8 million views since it was shared. A screengrab of the message was also shared on X where users gave different reactions.&nbsp;

Watch: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal calls for 70-hour work week, doctors warn of heart risk

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ola-ceo-bhavish-aggarwal-calls-for-70-hour-work-week-doctors-warn-of-heart-risk-741163/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Tech CEOs' new hubristic hobby seems to be competing on number of offsprings they can claim - without ever loving them or being in their lives," a user said.

"The funniest part is that, there are still some of his sperm donation left and preserved in one of the facilities," another added.

"This is what happens when you "donate" your sperm to IVF clinics. I don't see how this can be spun as a win," a third user said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Telegram's founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov made a shocking revelation as he claimed he has more than "100 biological kids". Taking to the messaging application, the CEO shared about his biological kids and the plan ahead with his 5.

Telegram's founder and Chief Executive Officer Pavel Durov made a shocking revelation as he claimed he has more than "100 biological kids". Taking to the messaging application, the CEO shared about his biological kids and the plan ahead with his 5.7 million subscribers. "I was just told that I have over 100 biological kids. How is this possible for a guy who has never been married and prefers to live alone?" Durov said. He explained that nearly 15 years ago, a friend came to him with a "weird request". "He said that he and his wife couldn't have kids due to a fertility issue and asked me to donate sperm at a clinic for them to have a baby. I laughed my ass off before realizing he was dead serious," the Telegram founder said. He said that the head of the clinic told him that "high-quality donor material" was in short supply. The doctor further said that it was Durov's "civic duty to donate more sperm to anonymously help more couples." Also Read: Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings' $7 million donation to Kamala Harris' prez campaign triggers boycott calls "This sounded crazy enough to get me to sign up for sperm donation. Fast forward to 2024, my past donating activity has helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have kids. Moreover, many years after I stopped being a donor, at least one IVF clinic still has my frozen sperm available for anonymous use by families who want to have kids," he said. Entrepreneur Pavel Durov speaks about the plan ahead The 39-year-old entrepreneur said that he has now made plans to open-source his DNA which will help his biological children find each other. Speaking about the importance of healthy sperm, Durov said that he is proud that he did his duty. "Of course, there are risks, but I don't regret having been a donor. The shortage of healthy sperm has become an increasingly serious issue worldwide, and I'm proud that I did my part to help alleviate it. I also want to help destigmatize the whole notion of sperm donation and incentivize more healthy men to do it, so that families struggling to have kids can enjoy more options. Defy convention - redefine the norm," the CEO wrote on Telegram. The Telegram CEO's post has received more than 1.8 million views since it was shared. A screengrab of the message was also shared on X where users gave different reactions. Watch: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal calls for 70-hour work week, doctors warn of heart risk "Tech CEOs' new hubristic hobby seems to be competing on number of offsprings they can claim - without ever loving them or being in their lives," a user said. "The funniest part is that, there are still some of his sperm donation left and preserved in one of the facilities," another added. "This is what happens when you "donate" your sperm to IVF clinics. I don't see how this can be spun as a win," a third user said. (With inputs from agencies)

THIS company's CEO has more than '100 biological kids'. Here's how

Let's take a look at all the news coming in from the world of technology on WION World DNA.

Telegram unblocks chatbots used by Ukraine's services | EU to probe Meta's handling of disinfomation

Telegram CEO: App downloads unaffected by delisting in China's app store

The Indian government has given an ultimatum to social media companies The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued notices to X, YouTube and Telegram.

Social media companies at risk of losing 'safe harbor protection'

A post on a Russian channel on Telegram has ignited concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's health. According to a report by the Express on Monday (August 28), the post by "Z-blogger" Pozdnyakov read, "God, don't you leave us.

A post on a Russian channel on Telegram has ignited concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's health. According to a report by the Express on Monday (August 28), the post by "Z-blogger" Pozdnyakov read, "God, don't you leave us. Pray to God you are alive and healthy." The post sparked discussion across social media platforms about Putin's health. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of this Telegram post. So far, Russian authorities have not commented on this matter. What is going on?: Ukraine reacts to post on Putin's health Anton Gerashchenko, the adviser to Ukraine's minister of internal affairs, shared the Telegram post on X (formerly known as Twitter), and said, "What is going on?" Gerashchenko's post garnered several reactions on the microblogging website. An interesting post on the Telegram channel of "Z-blogger" Pozdnyakov: "God, don't you leave us 🙏🙏🙏 Pray to God you are alive and healthy 🙏" What is going on? pic.twitter.com/w1mlbuQyfx — Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 28, 2023 × "Nothing. More propaganda. Just a way to manipulate people's feelings. I know exactly where he's going with this. What country has a leader that prays to god on social media unless they're hoping to use it to get people to keep worrying about what he might do? We all know better," X user Roadrunner posted on Tuesday. "Probably nothing, but if he's sick and his time is nearing the end, then it actually makes perfect sense to get rid of Prigozjin. He would most certainly try to take over if this is the case," another X user named RAVEN posted. Russian missile hits private enterprise in central Ukraine Meanwhile, as the war in Ukraine continues, Russian forces struck a private enterprise with a long-range cruise missile in Ukraine's Vinnytsia, Kyiv said on Friday. "Unfortunately, there are victims - three civilians, they are being provided with all necessary assistance," Governor Serhiy Borzov wrote on Telegram, adding that unspecified property and cars had been damaged. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Telegram post ignites concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's health. Ukraine reacts

Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday.

<h2>Which apps have been banned?</h2>

The East African nation has placed a ban on the popular short video format application TikTok, messaging app Telegram and an online betting website 1XBet.

Reuters reports that the government order has given internet service providers time till August 24&nbsp;to comply with the ban.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fifty-four-ugandan-soldiers-killed-by-al-shabaab-militants-in-somalia-600255">Fifty-four Ugandan soldiers killed by al-Shabaab militants in attack on military base in Somalia</a>

Somalian communications minister Jama Hassan Khalif's statement, as per Reuters, said: "The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups used to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public."

<h2>What prompted this ban?</h2>

As per the news agency, the ban comes days after the nation's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed that a Somalian military offensive is aiming to eliminate al Shabaab, an insurgent group, in the next five months.

Members of al Shabaab — a group with linkages to al-Qaeda — often post about their illegal activities on TikTok and Telegram.

While ByteDance's TikTok and betting website 1XBet are yet to issue a comment over the ban, Telegram in its statement said: "Telegram consistently removes terrorist propaganda in Somalia and worldwide."

It also said that it "actively moderated" harmful content on its platform.

<h2>App users criticise the ban</h2>

In Somalia and elsewhere, millions of users use TikTok to make money by posting videos, entertaining content or promoting their products. Talking to Reuters, some Somalian TikTok influencers&nbsp;and content creators said they were against the ban.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-banned-by-new-york-city-on-government-owned-devices-over-security-concerns-626232">TikTok banned by New York City on government-owned devices over security concerns</a>

One user, Abdulkadir Ali Mohamed, who calls himself Somalia's "TikTok President," said: "The ban on TikTok will make the lights of many homes go off."

"Where will we get our daily bread?" he asked.

Another user, Halimo Hassan, who sells precious metal gold on TikTok, expressed worry over losing her customers and said: "I urge the government to allow TikTok for the public, but control how it is used in the cultural context of Somalia."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday.

Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday. Which apps have been banned? The East African nation has placed a ban on the popular short video format application TikTok, messaging app Telegram and an online betting website 1XBet. Reuters reports that the government order has given internet service providers time till August 24 to comply with the ban. Also read | Fifty-four Ugandan soldiers killed by al-Shabaab militants in attack on military base in Somalia Somalian communications minister Jama Hassan Khalif's statement, as per Reuters, said: "The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups used to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public." What prompted this ban? As per the news agency, the ban comes days after the nation's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed that a Somalian military offensive is aiming to eliminate al Shabaab, an insurgent group, in the next five months. Members of al Shabaab — a group with linkages to al-Qaeda — often post about their illegal activities on TikTok and Telegram. While ByteDance's TikTok and betting website 1XBet are yet to issue a comment over the ban, Telegram in its statement said: "Telegram consistently removes terrorist propaganda in Somalia and worldwide." It also said that it "actively moderated" harmful content on its platform. App users criticise the ban In Somalia and elsewhere, millions of users use TikTok to make money by posting videos, entertaining content or promoting their products. Talking to Reuters, some Somalian TikTok influencers and content creators said they were against the ban. Also read | TikTok banned by New York City on government-owned devices over security concerns One user, Abdulkadir Ali Mohamed, who calls himself Somalia's "TikTok President," said: "The ban on TikTok will make the lights of many homes go off." "Where will we get our daily bread?" he asked. Another user, Halimo Hassan, who sells precious metal gold on TikTok, expressed worry over losing her customers and said: "I urge the government to allow TikTok for the public, but control how it is used in the cultural context of Somalia." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram to curb spread of 'constant horrific images and misinformation'

Telegram has become immensely popular because users have been led to believe it’s highly secure. But is it really as safe as we think? Watch our report.

Iraq government: Telegram poses national security risk | WION

Iraq's telecom ministry said on Sunday (August 6) that it has blocked the Telegram messaging app over national security concerns, and to preserve the integrity of users' data, which it said the app had mishandled. In a statement, the ministry said that it asked Telegram to close down "platforms that leak the data of the official state institutions and the personal data of citizens... but the company did not respond and did not interact with any of these requests."

"The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without prejudice to the security of the state and its institutions," the statement added.

The Telegram app is widely used in Iraq for messaging but also as a source of news and for sharing content. However, some channels contain large amounts of personal data including the names, addresses, and family ties of the citizens.&nbsp;

Telegram has been previously blocked in several countries including Azerbaijan, China, and Cuba. In April this year, Brazil ordered a temporary suspension of the messaging app until the company complied with an order to share information on extremist and neo-Nazi groups using the platform.

The decision, announced by Judge Wellington Lopes da Silva in a court in Espirito Santo state also increased a non-compliance fine of $197,780. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the federal police requested the suspension order after Telegram failed to comply with a previous court decision to hand over data about two neo-Nazi groups on the app that were accused of inciting violence in schools.

And because of Telegram's non-compliance with the court order, Judge da Silva said that telecommunications firms in Brazil should start to suspend access to the messaging service and downloading of the app. 
 
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Iraq's telecom ministry said on Sunday (August 6) that it has blocked the Telegram messaging app over national security concerns, and to preserve the integrity of users' data, which it said the app had mishandled.

Iraq's telecom ministry said on Sunday (August 6) that it has blocked the Telegram messaging app over national security concerns, and to preserve the integrity of users' data, which it said the app had mishandled. In a statement, the ministry said that it asked Telegram to close down "platforms that leak the data of the official state institutions and the personal data of citizens... but the company did not respond and did not interact with any of these requests." "The Ministry of Communications affirms its respect for citizens' rights to freedom of expression and communication, without prejudice to the security of the state and its institutions," the statement added. The Telegram app is widely used in Iraq for messaging but also as a source of news and for sharing content. However, some channels contain large amounts of personal data including the names, addresses, and family ties of the citizens. Telegram has been previously blocked in several countries including Azerbaijan, China, and Cuba. In April this year, Brazil ordered a temporary suspension of the messaging app until the company complied with an order to share information on extremist and neo-Nazi groups using the platform. The decision, announced by Judge Wellington Lopes da Silva in a court in Espirito Santo state also increased a non-compliance fine of $197,780. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the federal police requested the suspension order after Telegram failed to comply with a previous court decision to hand over data about two neo-Nazi groups on the app that were accused of inciting violence in schools. And because of Telegram's non-compliance with the court order, Judge da Silva said that telecommunications firms in Brazil should start to suspend access to the messaging service and downloading of the app. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iraq blocks Telegram messaging app over national security concerns

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