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

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 bossas 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.

“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)