Emmanuel Macron considered that the new moderation implemented by Telegram messaging constituted “a crucial step”, in an interview given on Wednesday to the American magazine Variety. Its CEO, Pavel Durov, was arrested and indicted at the end of August in France, due to illegal publications on the platform.
VideoIndictment of the CEO of Telegram: his lawyer considers the accusations “absurd”
The tycoon born in Russia, but who has since obtained French nationality, is being prosecuted, among other things, for “complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction, as part of an organized gang”, “refusal to communicate, upon request from the authorized authorities, the information (…) necessary for carrying out (…) interceptions authorized by law”, or “laundering of crimes or offenses by organized gangs”. He was placed under judicial supervision.
“With every revolution, there is a period of adjustment”
At the beginning of September, Pavel Durov promised to make the moderation of his messaging “a source of pride”. Emmanuel Macron welcomed this “update of the conditions of use and the confidentiality policy of the platform, with the aim of ensuring that the fundamental rules of public order are respected on the platform”.
Pavel Durov “in particular announced that he was ready to cooperate with the authorities in the event of illegal activity on the platform, which constitutes a crucial step,” said the French president. “With every revolution, there is a period of adjustment. This episode showed us that there is no inevitability when it comes to major digital players and that citizens and their governments are capable of setting rules and enforcing them,” he said. he further added.
