Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov Responds to Legal Pressure by Removing “Problematic Content”

Paris, 24th September 2024: Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder and CEO of Telegram, recently revealed that the messaging service has removed a substantial amount of “problematic content” in response to legal pressure in France. This announcement comes weeks after his notable arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris, where he faced charges for not adequately addressing illegal activities on the platform.

In a message to his 13 million subscribers on his personal Telegram channel, Durov acknowledged that the platform’s search feature had been misused by individuals involved in selling illegal goods, thus violating Telegram’s terms of service. “In recent weeks, we have deployed artificial intelligence to thoroughly examine Telegram and ensure that all identified problematic content in Search is no longer accessible,” he stated.

This announcement follows heightened scrutiny of Telegram’s role in facilitating criminal activities, with critics arguing that the platform has not effectively moderated extremist content. In response, Durov committed to enhancing Telegram’s oversight, noting that the company has updated its terms of service and privacy policy to better cooperate with legal authorities. “We will not allow bad actors to compromise the integrity of our platform for nearly a billion users,” he emphasized.

Durov, who holds citizenship in Russia, France, and the UAE, was arrested on August 24 and charged with failing to manage extremist and terrorist content on Telegram. He was released on €5 million ($5.6 million) bail but is required to remain in France and report to authorities twice a week during the ongoing investigation.

While initially criticizing his arrest, Durov has made significant concessions to French authorities. Earlier this month, he announced enhancements to Telegram’s “people nearby” feature, aiming to connect users with legitimate businesses rather than scammers and bots. “This year, we are dedicated to transforming moderation on Telegram from an area of criticism into one of praise,” Durov asserted.

Known for his low-profile lifestyle despite an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion, Durov advocates for ascetic living, promoting practices such as ice baths and abstaining from alcohol and caffeine. His recent initiatives to strengthen Telegram’s moderation demonstrate a shift in strategy as the platform faces increasing regulatory scrutiny.