France accuses Telegram founder of allowing criminal activities on the app

French prosecutors on Wednesday charged Telegram messaging app founder Pavel Durov with allowing criminal activity on his popular messaging app. Photo by Nick Lubushko/Wikimedia Commons

In addition, the app is also popular among people who are involved in criminal activities and post content that could harm others.

Numerous law enforcement agencies in the United States, France and other countries have reported that the app is used as a means of communication by terrorist organizations, arms smugglers, drug dealers and extremist groups.

The app allows users to create messaging groups of up to 200,000 members and offers secret chats and self-destructing messages.

Officials in England recently accused Telegram of hosting far-right and extremist organizations that organized riots across the country in July.

Telegram was originally based in Russia, but Durov left the country in 2014 and moved the app’s headquarters to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Durov is not allowed to leave France and is under judicial supervision, the Paris public prosecutor’s office said.

Durov paid bail of 5 million euros, equivalent to about $5.5 million, and must report to police twice a week until the matter is resolved.

French authorities announced the charges on Wednesday after arresting Durov on Saturday upon his arrival in Paris on a private jet.

Durov’s arrest raises questions about freedom of expression.

Forbes estimates that Durov has amassed a net worth of around $15.5 billion through the Telegram app.