Pavel Durov, the founder of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday night for allegedly failing to cooperate with authorities and prevent criminal activity by some Telegram users. He faces serious charges, including promoting violence against children, fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, organized crime, promoting terrorism, and spreading hate speech, which could lead to a 20-year prison sentence. While the arrest is officially attributed to Durov’s lack of cooperation, concerns have been raised about political pressure from France and the US. France, where Durov holds citizenship, has been accused of using the arrest as leverage for access to private communication data, while the US has allegedly pressured Durov to provide access to encrypted data. The arrest has also been seen as a blow to Telegram’s blockchain project, TON, which has attracted investment from Russian businesses. The arrest highlights the ongoing tension between tech giants and governments, particularly regarding data privacy and control over online platforms. It serves as a reminder that the online world is far from a free and open space, with powerful actors actively seeking to influence its operation.
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