Key Takeaways
- Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski has left Europe following threats from France.
- Telegram insists its moderation practices comply with EU laws despite CEO’s arrest.
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Chris Pavlovski, the founder and CEO of Rumble, a free speech-friendly alternative to mainstream platforms like YouTube, said he had left Europe following the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov.
“I’m a little late to this, but for good reason — I’ve just safely departed from Europe,” Pavlovski announced on X on Sunday.
Pavlovski added that French authorities had shown their intent to take legal action against Rumble. The platform, known for its free speech-focused direction, previously blocked French access in response to demands to censor Russian news sources. Pavlovski believes the French government has exceeded a boundary in its actions targeting Durov, who has been accused of not censoring content on the platform. He asserted that Rumble would use legal means to defend the right to free speech, which they consider a universal human right.
“Rumble will not stand for this behavior and will use every legal means available to fight for freedom of expression, a universal human right. We are currently fighting in the courts of France, and we hope for Pavel Durov’s immediate release,” Pavlovski stated.
On Saturday, the tech world was sent into a frenzy when Durov was arrested in France on charges linked to Telegram’s alleged non-cooperation with law enforcement.The French authorities have accused the popular messaging app of facilitating illegal activities such as drug trafficking, terrorism promotion, and fraud due to its lack of content moderation. Durov faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the charges.At the time of reporting, the French authorities are still conducting a preliminary investigation and have not yet brought formal charges against Durov. According to a new report from LeMonde, the French judge will decide whether to release him or press charges when the initial detention period ends.
Russian authorities have responded to Durov’s detention, requesting an explanation from French authorities. X owner Elon Musk also criticized the arrest, saying free speech in Europe is under attack.Following Durov’s arrest, Telegram issued a statement vehemently denying any wrongdoing. The company asserted that its content moderation policies align with industry standards and that Durov had “nothing to hide.”The company also dismissed claims that a platform or its owner could be held liable for the misuse of that platform as “absurd.” Telegram’s response to the ongoing legal challenges was shared within the TON community.
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