Telegram Asserts Compliance with EU Digital Services Act Following CEO Pavel Durov’s Arrest

After the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France, the messaging platform issued a statement asserting its full compliance with European Union laws, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA). Telegram emphasized that its content moderation practices are in line with industry standards and are continuously being improved.

Telegram’s Statement on Compliance

“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act—its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” the company said in a statement. The platform also addressed concerns regarding Durov’s arrest, stating that their CEO has “nothing to hide” and regularly travels within Europe.

Background on Durov’s Arrest

Durov was detained at a French airport, with the arrest linked to a criminal complaint focused on Telegram’s moderation practices. French authorities reportedly consider these practices insufficient, attributing responsibility to Durov and the platform for criminal activities facilitated through Telegram.

While formal charges have yet to be made public, media reports suggest that the accusations center around crimes allegedly organized or published on the platform. In response, Telegram dismissed the notion that a platform or its owner should be held responsible for abuse of the platform by users.

Russian Embassy’s Response

The Russian embassy in France expressed its concerns about the arrest, criticizing the French authorities for not providing clear reasons for Durov’s detention or granting consular access. The embassy stated that it had requested clarification and demanded the protection of Durov’s rights.

Durov’s Predictions and Industry Challenges

In its statement, Telegram linked to a March 2024 post by Durov, where he anticipated that the company might face challenges due to its moderation practices. He noted that all major social media platforms are often targets of criticism for the content they host, citing Meta’s negative media coverage as an example. Durov suggested that Telegram might go through similar phases of scrutiny as it continues to grow.

Crypto Community’s Support and Toncoin’s Performance

The crypto community has rallied behind Durov, with prominent figures like Justin Sun, founder of Tron, offering support. Sun even proposed donating $1 million to a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) dedicated to securing Durov’s release, provided it is created in a decentralized manner with sufficient community backing.

Meanwhile, Toncoin (TON), which initially saw significant losses following Durov’s arrest, has slowed its decline. As of the latest data, Toncoin is down 2.45% for the day, indicating a potential stabilization in the market.

This developing situation highlights the complex interplay between regulatory compliance, content moderation, and the challenges faced by tech platforms as they navigate legal and public scrutiny. Telegram’s future, particularly in Europe, may hinge on how it continues to address these concerns.