French Government Ruined its Image of Freedom Around The World

Pavel Durov, founding father of the messaging software Telegram, supplied an replace concerning his ongoing case in France, and mentioned the felony investigation in opposition to him is “struggling” to seek out any proof of wrongdoing.

Durov mentioned his arrest by French authorities in August 2024 was “unprecedented” and added that holding a tech government accountable for the actions of impartial customers was “legally and logically absurd,” in a Telegram post on Sunday. Durov added:

“A yr later, the ‘felony investigation’ in opposition to me remains to be struggling to seek out something that I or Telegram did unsuitable. Our moderation practices align with trade requirements, and Telegram has at all times responded to each legally binding request from France.”

“One yr after this unusual arrest, I nonetheless must return to France each 14 days, with no attraction date in sight,” he continued, whereas additionally warning that the French authorities has accomplished irreparable damage to France’s image as a free nation.

The arrest of Durov sparked widespread condemnation from the crypto neighborhood, human rights teams, and free speech activists, who accused the French authorities of arresting the Telegram founder to stress him into censoring the platform.

Associated: One year since Durov’s arrest: What’s happened and what’s ahead?

Pavel Durov’s arrest creates large backlash in opposition to the French authorities

Durov was charged and initially barred from leaving France in reference to a probe into the Telegram platform’s content material moderation insurance policies, with French regulation enforcement officers accusing the platform of internet hosting dangerous content material.

French President Emmanuel Macron denied the arrest was politically motivated, triggering a torrent of censorship accusations and criticism from the crypto neighborhood.

“In a state ruled by the rule of regulation, freedoms are upheld inside a authorized framework, each on social media and in actual life, to guard residents and respect their basic rights,” Macron wrote in a translated August 26 X post.