Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Criminal Activity Investigation
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France on Saturday, facing accusations of failing to control the app’s use for criminal activities. Following his arrest, reports indicate that the Indian government is investigating whether the app is involved in illegal activities such as extortion and gambling in India.
According to a report by Moneycontrol, a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) are investigating peer-to-peer (P2P) communication on Telegram. The official also mentioned that a decision regarding the app’s future in India will be made after this investigation. Notably, if Telegram is found guilty in this investigation, a ban on the app in India could be considered. Telegram has yet to issue an official response.
Telegram has more than 5 million users in India, but over the years, it has increasingly become a hub for criminal activities. Criminals have used the app to defraud people out of millions of rupees. The app also came under scrutiny during the interim UGC NET exam scam, where it was alleged that the exam paper, after being leaked, was sold through the app.
Since Telegram’s inception, various governments around the world have pushed to regulate the app. However, Durov, the app’s CEO, has resisted government pressures, earning a reputation as a staunch advocate for freedom of expression.
In addition to its widespread use in India, Telegram is popular in many countries worldwide, particularly in Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government officials frequently use Telegram for communication. Similarly, Russian government departments and officials use Telegram officially. Since the onset of the war between the two countries, Telegram has become a crucial platform for disseminating important information about the conflict.
