DISINFO: France arrested Pavel Durov to get Telegram's access codes
SUMMARY
Durov is an important person both for France and for Russia. In other words, both sides have expectations from him. For example, people in the Russian state structures carry out most of their correspondence through Telegram. Most likely, the Kremlin's concern is related to this. As for France, Paris wants Durov to hand over the codes of the social network to the intelligence services.
RESPONSE
Conspiracy theory not backed by any evidence about the arrest of Pavel Durov in France on 24th August 2024.
French authorities have since imposed charges against Pavel Durov for 12 different crimes, including complicity in the distribution of child pornography and the selling of drugs, money laundering, and a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement. One of the main charges is Telegram’s inability to prevent sex crimes against minors on the platform. According to The Washington Post, Jean-Michel Bernigaud, Secretary-General of Ofmin (a French police agency focused on preventing violence against minors), stated that “at the heart of the case is the absence of moderation and cooperation on the part of the platform, especially in the fight against child sex crimes.”
See other examples of disinformation narratives regarding the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France, such as claims that The French government lost $17 billion due to Telegram app founder Durov's arrest, that The real reason for Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s arrest is to cover up events in Palestine, that The hand of the US Democratic Party is behind Pavel Durov’s arrest, that the US is behind Telegram app founder’s arrest, that the West arrested Telegram app founder Durov because it failed in its fight against Russia, or that Durov arrest is an attempt to shut down Telegram app because it tells the truth.