French Authorities Investigate Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Over Criminal Activity Claims

French authorities are delving into accusations against Telegram founder Pavel Durov, alleging the platform's involvement in facilitating criminal activities.

On December 6, Durov appeared at a Paris court for questioning, joined by his attorneys David-Olivier Kaminski and Christophe Ingrain.

The focus of the inquiry reportedly revolved around claims that Telegram has been used for illegal transactions. While Durov commented that he has faith in France’s justice system, he refrained from sharing specifics about the ongoing case.

Durov’s legal entanglements began earlier this year when he was briefly detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris on August 24. Though he secured his release by paying $6 million in bail, he remains confined to France until March 2025. Prosecutors have accused him of enabling illegal activity through Telegram, formally pressing charges days later on August 28.

The charges against Durov have sent ripples through the tech industry, especially among proponents of privacy-centric Web3 technologies. Many worry this case could set a precedent with significant implications for platforms emphasizing user confidentiality.

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