Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Acknowledges Platform's Role in Criminal Activities

Pavel Durov, facing charges in France, admitted to the severity of issues linked to Telegram and pledged stronger moderation efforts.

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, is under investigation in France for alleged complicity in organized criminal activities facilitated through the platform.
Durov admitted during questioning in December to recognizing the gravity of the accusations, including the presence of groups involved in pedocriminality, drug trafficking, and arms sales.
Telegram claims to delete 15–20 million user accounts and 1–2 million channels monthly, but judges criticized the platform's effectiveness in preventing illegal activities.
Durov pledged to improve moderation processes and highlighted recent progress, including increased cooperation with judicial authorities and associations.
Despite Telegram's first annual profit announcement, the company faces $2 billion in debt and ongoing scrutiny over user identity verification and encrypted communications.