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Elon Musk Condemns Arrest of Telegram Founder Pavel Durov, Calls it an Attack on Free Speech

• ByStartupStory     |    August 26, 2024

Elon Musk has publicly criticized European authorities following the arrest of Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, in what he describes as a direct assault on free speech. Durov, 39, was apprehended at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday, shortly after arriving on a private jet from Azerbaijan. His detention is part of a preliminary police investigation into Telegram’s moderation practices.

Musk expressed his disapproval through multiple posts on X (formerly Twitter), demanding justice for Durov. In response to a post by American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy that claimed, “It’s Telegram today. It’ll be X tomorrow,” Musk agreed, stating, “He’s right.” In a separate tweet, Musk ominously warned, “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme,” hinting at what he perceives as increasing censorship in the region.

Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur with dual French and UAE citizenship, is under investigation by French authorities for allegedly enabling various crimes on Telegram due to inadequate content moderation and insufficient cooperation with law enforcement. According to a Reuters report, Durov’s arrest was based on an outstanding warrant in France. The investigation is being led by a specialized unit within the cybersecurity gendarmerie and France’s national anti-fraud police, overseen by a judge with expertise in organized crime.

Following Durov’s arrest, the Russian government issued a stern warning to France, emphasizing that Durov should be afforded his legal rights. Russia’s foreign ministry also announced that it had sent a note to Paris demanding access to Durov, despite his French citizenship. Russian lawmaker Maria Butina went further, labeling Durov a ‘political prisoner’ and accusing the West of engaging in a ‘witch-hunt.’

In response to the arrest, Telegram released a statement asserting that the platform complies with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act. The company defended Durov, stating that he has nothing to hide and frequently travels across Europe. Telegram also rejected claims that the platform or its owner should be held accountable for any misuse of the service, reaffirming its commitment to user privacy and free speech.

Pavel Durov founded Telegram in 2013 after leaving Russia due to government pressure to shut down opposition groups on VK, a social media platform he also created and later sold. Telegram, now headquartered in Dubai, has grown into one of the most influential messaging apps, with close to 1 billion users, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states.

Telegram has been a crucial platform during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, providing unfiltered and often controversial content from both sides of the conflict. Its rising popularity has drawn scrutiny from various European governments over concerns about security and data breaches. As the investigation into Durov and Telegram continues, the arrest has sparked a broader debate about free speech, privacy, and the role of tech platforms in global politics.

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