The current arrest of Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of encrypted messaging app Telegram, by French legislation enforcement on Saturday night has sparked heated debate internationally, together with in Russian media.
Much of the protection and analyses in Russia, the nation the place Durov was born in 1984, share sure parallels, such because the impression that his arrest could have on Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Telegram is broadly utilized by Russian troopers for communication and alternate of data in Ukraine. Many consultants interviewed by Russian newspapers, TV channels, and radio stations fear that Durov’s arrest might compromise essential info despatched by way of the app.
Besides the navy penalties of Western intelligence companies getting access to this info, some protection, equivalent to by the Nezavisimaya Gazeta each day, have additionally highlighted that the information is also exploited for political functions, contemplating the recognition of Telegram as a supply for news and amongst Russian officers for communication.
The arrest of the app’s CEO has additionally prompted calls inside Russia for authorities to facilitate the event of another messaging system, particularly for the military.
Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport in Paris upon his arrival from Azerbaijan. French media retailers have cited the dearth of moderation on Telegram and Durov’s alleged refusal to cooperate with legislation enforcement as the explanation for his arrest.
Paris accuses him of being complicit in crimes perpetrated by Telegram customers, together with drug trafficking, little one abuse, and fraud.
Telegram’s person base in Europe has additionally been raised by EU authorities.
The European Commission’s vice chairman for values and transparency, Vera Zhurova, has accused Russia of utilizing the platform to unfold “misinformation” amongst Russian-speaking individuals within the bloc, claiming that the Baltic states, Poland and Bulgaria are among the many most susceptible amongst member states.
According to the platform’s official knowledge, Telegram has 41 million customers as of February 2024, however the precise variety of customers is estimated to be a lot greater.
A service with greater than 45 million customers is taken into account a really massive on-line platform beneath European legislation and should adjust to stricter guidelines beneath the EU’s Digital Services Act.
According to consultants interviewed by the Russian each day Vedomosti, Durov’s arrest will undoubtedly have an effect on the way forward for the messenger.
There could also be extra to Durov’s arrest that has not been disclosed, however the formal prices towards him are legit, Sergey Vodragin, managing associate of the Westside legislation agency, instructed the newspaper.
“This includes, on the one hand, Telegram’s independence from state authorities and, on the other hand, an insufficient level of internal self-regulation. This does not mean that there were no other reasons for the arrest, known only to state security services,” he stated.
Dmitry Drize, a political commentator for the each day Kommersant, advised that it might be noteworthy that Durov was detained upon coming back from Azerbaijan, a South Caucasus nation that’s presently at odds with France.
According to Drize, Durov’s arrest highlighted a wider downside of the right way to stability safety and freedom of speech.
He emphasised that French and American authorities need Durov to supply entry to instruments that will enable them to regulate the messenger. If Durov agrees, this is able to be unhealthy news for Russia, he stated.
The Nezavisimaya Gazeta underlined the position of politics in Durov’s arrest, suggesting that this implies “much of the fate of the billionaire and his messenger, the number of users of which is approaching a billion, will depend on political agreements.”
In an interview with MK, cybersecurity professional Andrey Masalovich highlighted that Telegram chats include huge quantities of essential strategic info.
He famous that in recent times, Telegram has persistently adhered to the sanctions imposed on Russia, suggesting that Durov may begin cooperating with Western intelligence.
Masalovich emphasised the potential risks for Russia if NATO beneficial properties management of the app and referred to as for the event of a specialised messenger for intelligence functions.
Source: www.anews.com.tr