Telegram founder Pavel Durov is allowed to leave France temporarily, but the initial charge against him raises important questions for the crypto community.
On March 13, a French court issued the founder and CEO of the Encrypted Messaging App Telegram Permissions to leave for Dubaiwhere he used to live. Durov has been in France since August 2024, when he was Arrested at the Le Bourget airport in Paris.
Durov is part of an investigation containing Accurses neglect and complexity in crimes such as narcotics trafficking, money laundering, child sexual exploitation and terrorism. He can face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
Widely, Durov’s case raises questions about the developer’s responsibility for cryptographic platforms and tools they created-a well-known issue in the cryptocurrency industry.
Is Durov responsible for what’s going on with the Telegram?
The initial charge against Durov claimed that he was responsible, at least in part, for prohibited activities that were said to be enabled by the explosive and support of the platform for cryptocurrencies.
The argument would be familiar to observers in the crypto industry, which follows Alexey Pertsev’s caseThe developer of the cryptocurrency mixer service Tornado Cash. Like Durov, prosecutors say Pertsev is responsible for the prohibited activities that occurred on the platform, especially money losses.
Pertsev was arrested in the Netherlands in 2022 and is currently in bail As he waited for his trial to begin.
Related: Tornado Cash Dev Alexey Pertsev’s Bail A ‘Cricial Step’ in Taking Fair Test, Defense says
In both cases, members of the crypto community recognized the possible implications for free speech and privacy, and came to support executives.
Jose Fabrega, head of Marketing at Ethereum based on Blockchain Metis, called Durov’s arrest the “Tornado Cash Case throughout again.”
Source: Jose Fabrega
Natalia Latka, Director of Public Policy and Regulation in Blockchain Analysis Firm Merkle Science, has previously been said Cointelegraph that “history, software developers have been seen as neutral creators of tools and platforms, which are responsible for their technical function but not for how those tools were used.”
However, he said it was changing in the proliferation of decentralized tools that “challenge traditional regulation frameworks.”
It places decentralized platforms in a “crowded place,” OneSafe’s crypto platform write In a blog post on March 17. “This means to know the legal frameworks that manage their operations and interact with the regulatory bodies.”
It also called the Durov case a “pivotal moment” for the cryptocurrency industry and called on crypto companies to promote for more “balanced regulations” and support for advocacy groups.
Durov itself write On March 17, the Telegram was “not only recognized but exceeded its legal obligations.”
Implications for free speech
Observers and critics have the same raised concerns about arresting Durov -discussing what it means for free speech and whether arresting can be political.
Chris Pavlovski, the CEO of the “Alt-Tech” sharing video Rumble, said this is the final straw for him and his company, previously Clash French officials include censorship issues.
Source: Chris Pavlolvski
Gregory Alburov, an investigator for the anti-corruption foundation of the late Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, Says The case “in addition to being unjust as hell (obviously Durov does not share in terrorism or weapon care), is also a major blow to freedom of speech.”
Durov’s earlier conflict with regulators, especially in 2018, when he refused to comply with an order from Russian Telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor, led to many believing that the charges were political motivation.
While French president Mannuel Macron in public Nakasa said That the case is not an attack on Durov, Dmitry Zair-Bek-a human rights attorney and head of the Human Rights Organization Department One-disagree.
Related: Free Speech and Online Privacy: Pavel Durov’s rise to the top
“Durov is essentially targeting for his efforts to protect users’ privacy and, of course, for his refusal to cooperate with intelligence agencies,” he Says.
Regardless of the motivations, the outcome of the case will have clear implications for future platforms. One belief can intimidate platforms and executives to more intense moderation to the point of censorship, while a success can boost others to leave obligations to public regulators and safety.
Durov’s leave in Dubai has been reported to reach until April 7. The French prosecutor’s office has not made any public statements regarding the status of the case.
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