Pavel Durov, the visionary mind behind the widely-used messaging platform Telegram, found himself in a tough spot after being arrested in France on a recent Saturday, as reported by French TV network TF1.
The arrest of Durov came following a warrant related to a preliminary police investigation, signaling a significant turn of events in his personal and professional life.
According to TF1, the investigation centered around a lack of content moderation on Telegram, leading authorities to believe that the messaging app had become a breeding ground for criminal activities like drug trafficking, child exploitation, money laundering, and fraud.
The loose moderation policies on Telegram have stirred controversy, providing a platform for cybercriminals to operate with freedom, facilitating a range of illicit activities such as malware distribution, data theft, and the sale of contraband.
“Guardio Labs described the messaging app as a thriving marketplace for cybercriminals, fostering the exchange of illegal tools and information to create a well-organized network of cyber threats,” mentioned a report published earlier this year.
Headquartered in Dubai, Telegram boasts a user base of over 950 million active users, demonstrating its widespread popularity in the digital landscape. With recent developments like the launch of an in-app browser and a Mini App Store, the messaging app has evolved into a comprehensive super app, reminiscent of renowned platforms like Tencent’s WeChat.
(Stay tuned for the latest updates on this unfolding story.)