Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France

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A lot of people in the West may only have heard of Telegram in passing, or read about it in an article. Some have linked to it here on ATS. But over in the Eastern block -- it is everything. It is their Twitter and Facebook and all others, all wrapped into one. It also has security protocols so it can be used for private confidential messaging. That makes it not only a favorite for Russian news and propaganda, but also for military communications, worldwide mercenary activities and coordination, and even drug dealing, human trafficking and other crimes... because encryption helps all.

Well, the Russians are freaking out in their blogosphere what it could mean that the founder and the CEO of Russia's largest social media was arrested in Paris. Does this mean the West will gain access to all their military communications? Will they get access to all the encrypted communication from the Russian mafia and the oligarchs?

Don't worry comrades, nobody will take over your Telegram. Pavel Durov was arrested on an outstanding warrant for charges that encompass drug trafficking, terrorism, fraud, child pornography and cyberscamming. He knew of the warrants and still decided to board a plane and land in Paris.

Then again, maybe he has something to tell?

Pavel Durov, the co-founder and chief executive of the messaging service Telegram, was arrested and detained on Saturday, according to French media reports.

The Paris prosecutor's office told NPR that a statement about the matter will be issued on Monday.

Law enforcement agents reportedly arrested Durov at Le Bourget Airport outside of Paris, where he was arriving on his private jet from Azerbaijan, according to multiple French press reports.

AFP reported that an arrest warrant had been issued for Durov as a result of an investigation into whether he has failed to crack down on illegal activity including drug trafficking, the promotion of terrorism and fraud on Telegram.

The French newspaper Le Monde reported that the probe is examining whether Durov has refused to cooperate with law enforcement over issues including cyberscams and the spread of child pornography on Telegram.

Meanwhile, all other social media platforms are “regulated” annd rein in dissent annd still allow the same crimes that Telegram has been accused of to occur on their watch.

Very odd.

But yeah Free Speech is the worst.