France files preliminary charges against Pavel Durov and releases him under judicial supervision

French judicial authorities filed initial charges against Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram messaging app, for his alleged involvement in serious crimes. These crimes include complicity in the distribution of child pornography, drug trafficking, and the dissemination of piracy software through the platform.

The decision made Wednesday by French judges indicates that there is sufficient evidence to continue the investigation into whether Durov violated French laws, which oblige online platforms to limit the dissemination of harmful content and to cooperate with judicial authorities. This process could drag on for months, or even years, before reaching a final resolution.

In the meantime, Durov has been placed under judicial supervision. The measures imposed include a ban on leaving France, the payment of $5.56 million (€5 million) bail, and the obligation to report to the police station twice a week. These restrictions followed his arrest last Saturday night when his private plane landed at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris.

Lack of cooperation

Durov also faces charges for refusing to cooperate with investigations into illegal activities on his platform. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau highlighted Telegram's "almost complete absence of response from Telegram to judicial demands," underscoring the Russian entrepreneur's lack of cooperation with French authorities.

Telegram defends itself

Recently, the company issued a statement assuring that Telegram "has nothing to hide" and that it complies with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act. The company insisted that its moderation actions align with industry standards and called the idea of holding a platform or its owner responsible for abuses committed by its users "absurd."