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| CEO of Telegram Messaging App Arrested in France For a 'Lack of Moderators' on the Russian Messaging Site |
| 2024-08-25 |
| [PJMedia] The Russian messaging App Telegram could be the last relic from a time when the internet was the wild, wild west. Anyone can use the encrypted messaging app, including terrorists, drug dealers, and low lifes of all sorts. But Telegram has also served as one of the only sources of uncensored news in Russia where many of their 900 million users reside. It's also available in Ukraine and oppressive societies around the world. The CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been a marked man in Western Europe for allowing all of this freedom to go on without a sufficient number of moderators. The French struck first, arresting Durov when he landed in France on his private jet. French authorities are being very tight-lipped about their special prisoner. Aside from vague references to the lack of moderators and non-cooperation with authorities, specific charges have not been filed against Durov. He may be indicted as early as Sunday. Elon Musk referred to Durov's arrest, sarcastically calling it an "ad for the First Amendment." A poster on X gave a thumbnail bio of Durov. Pavel reminds me of you. He is not bought. In an interview with Tucker Carlson earlier this year, Durov spoke of the interest shown in Telegram by U.S. law enforcement. 🚨 PAVEL DUROV: THE U.S. WANTED TO CONTROL TELEGRAM BETTER “I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone,” Durov told U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson in April about his exit from Russia and search for a home for his company. Durov ended up in the United Arab Emirates. NBC News: Durov, whose fortune was estimated by Forbes at $15.5 billion, said some governments had sought to pressure him but the app should remain a “neutral platform” and not a “player in geopolitics”. What I know of Durov, he's not the kind of person to take this lying down. If they want to hold a trial on freedom of speech, he will embrace it and expose the authorities as the jack-booted thugs they are. Related: Telegram 08/24/2024 Current information on the situation on the front line: August 23 (updated) Telegram 08/24/2024 First verdict handed down to participants in riots at Makhachkala airport Telegram 08/24/2024 Composition of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group that attacked Kursk region Related: Pavel Durov 08/06/2024 Kaspersky Lab has discovered an Android Trojan that spies on Russians Pavel Durov 06/12/2024 South African court seizes Google assets for discrimination against Orthodox TV channel Pavel Durov 11/15/2023 Ministry of Internal Affairs puts Abakar Abakarov on the wanted list |
| Posted by:DarthVader |
| #6 Vindman says Musk should be 'nervous' after Telegram CEO was arrested: 'Free speech absolutists weirdos' |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2024-08-25 22:04 |
| #5 I would be utterly unsurprised if this had more to do with various governments being unable to access encrypted private chats than kiddie pr0n and terrorism. Can't have the peasants exchanging illegal thoughts and casting aspersions on the regime. And yes, #1 is snarky. Unless we are talking the super-secret encrypted Rantburg. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2024-08-25 18:10 |
| #4 #1 for Snark O' The Day ;-) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2024-08-25 14:13 |
| #3 If you refuse to cooperate with LE when pictures of child abuse and terrorist propaganda is involved, you'll run into trouble, sooner or later. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2024-08-25 14:02 |
| #2 So, is that a regular EU statism, or specific bear baiting? |
| Posted by: Grom the Reflective 2024-08-25 13:40 |
| #1 I guess Rantburg is safe then ;-) Snark O'The Day |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2024-08-25 13:35 |