How Will This Impact Other Social Networks?

The founder of the messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. The incident sparked widespread attention, not only due to the reasons behind it, but also because of its potential consequences for user privacy and Telegram's reputation. French law enforcement has yet to provide an official statement, but speculations and theories are spreading quickly across media platforms.

According to the French TV channel TF1, one of the reasons for the arrest was insufficient content moderation on the platform, which has led to Telegram being associated with the spread of drugs and child pornography. This version is supported by several sources, which point to pressure from European regulators, who have long demanded greater cooperation from Telegram with law enforcement.

Telegram and the New Privacy Policy

Following the arrest, Durov decided to review the platform’s privacy policy. In the updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which he posted on his personal Telegram channel, it is now stated that the messenger can officially provide law enforcement with users' IP addresses and phone numbers in response to legally justified requests. This move is a response to European regulators’ demands and is intended to deter criminals from using the platform for illegal activities.

Durov explained that Telegram Search is a tool for finding friends and news, not a platform for illegal operations such as drug trafficking. He also noted that the moderation team, with the help of artificial intelligence, has increased security measures on the platform to make Telegram safer for its billion-strong audience.

The Political Dimension and the Role of russia

Durov’s arrest attracted attention not only from French and European media but also sparked reactions in russia, where Durov remains a citizen despite holding French citizenship. The kremlin is using the situation to push its narrative, accusing the West of “double standards”. They argue that even in democratic countries, "dissenters" are persecuted, so the differences between the russian regime and Western democracies are not as significant as the international community believes.

Statements in support of Durov have been voiced by several influential figures, including Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, and Kim Dotcom, who point to the threat to freedom of speech, warning that this could set a precedent for other platforms.

Potential Consequences for Major Social Networks

This incident could have significant repercussions for other social networks and messaging apps. With Telegram now under increased scrutiny, national governments may become more active in questioning the legitimacy of how personal user information is handled and demand stricter content moderation.

In democratic countries, debates about the societal impact of social platforms have been ongoing for some time, and Durov's arrest may further fuel discussions about the rules governing the relationship between the state, society, and social media platforms.

Conclusions

The arrest of Pavel Durov and the change in Telegram's privacy policy could have far-reaching consequences for both the messaging app and other tech platforms. On one hand, Durov has made concessions by cooperating with law enforcement to ensure user safety. On the other hand, this precedent could trigger a new wave of state control over social networks, raising concerns among the public and human rights activists.