Telegram has defended its CEO, Pavel Durov, following his arrest in France, stating that the tech entrepreneur has “nothing to hide.” Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday under a warrant related to allegations surrounding his popular messaging app. Officials claim the arrest is tied to insufficient moderation on Telegram, which is being accused of failing to prevent the spread of illegal content.

The investigation reportedly focuses on Durov’s alleged failure to curb criminal activities on Telegram, such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. French authorities have expressed concerns over the app’s moderation policies, alleging that Telegram has not cooperated adequately with law enforcement in these matters.

Telegram responded swiftly, emphasizing that its moderation policies are within industry standards and continue to improve. In a bold statement, the company declared: “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for the abuse of that platform.” The platform further highlighted its efforts to comply with European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act, which mandates accountability for online platforms.

Telegram’s user base is vast, with nearly a billion users worldwide, many of whom rely on the app for secure communication and vital information. Despite the current legal challenges, the company assured its users that it is awaiting a prompt resolution of the situation and remains committed to offering an open communication platform.

Durov’s detention has now been extended by judicial authorities and could last up to 96 hours, according to AFP news agency. The Russian-born tech mogul, who now resides in Dubai and holds citizenship in both the United Arab Emirates and France, is no stranger to controversy. Telegram was banned in Russia in 2018 after Durov refused to comply with the government’s request to hand over user data—a ban that was reversed in 2021. The app remains one of the most popular platforms in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet states.

The arrest has provoked sharp responses from Russian officials, with the Russian Embassy in France reportedly making efforts to clarify the reasons behind Durov’s detention. The embassy stated it would ensure the protection of Durov’s rights and seek consular access. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Western human rights organizations for their silence, recalling the backlash Russia faced in 2018 when it imposed restrictions on Telegram.

Critics have long voiced concerns about Telegram’s relatively loose moderation policies, arguing that the platform’s ability to host groups of up to 200,000 members makes it an attractive medium for misinformation, extremism, and illegal activities. In the UK, Telegram recently faced scrutiny after hosting far-right channels that played a significant role in organizing violent unrest in several cities.

Cybersecurity experts have echoed these concerns, noting that Telegram’s approach to moderating illegal content is weaker than other social media platforms. While the platform has taken steps to remove some extremist groups, critics argue that more robust efforts are needed to prevent misuse.

For further details on this story, visit BBC News.