Telegram Founder’s French Fiasco: Who’s Really Playing by the Rules? 😏🇫🇷

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In a theatrical masterstroke worthy of a farce, Telegram’s Pavel Durov flings back accusations of “misinformation” as the French, rather tardily, remember the EU rulebook exists.

Pavel’s Protest: “I’ve Always Played Fair—It’s the Gendarmes Who Just Got the Memo”

On a Thursday bright with sensationalism, Durov found himself compelled to address a French report that, with all the subtlety of a blunt baguette, suggested his summer detention was the magical catalyst for Telegram finally playing nice with EU laws.

“Telegram has always been compliant with EU laws.”

The real irony? It was the French police—bless their charmingly tardy hearts—who only recently dusted off their copies of the Digital Services Act and began proper procedure. According to Durov, after the summer’s little tête-à-tête, the French authorities finally started “following European rules” and sent their requests with the correct paperwork, a revelation as surprising as discovering the Eiffel Tower is indeed in Paris.

Thanks to this bureaucratic epiphany, French courts have since been able to access Telegram user data for their criminal investigations. Durov, ever the gentleman, points out that this official “contact us” method was accessible well before his (dubiously dramatic) arrest, tucked neatly away in apps, on the website, or just a simple Google search away—telegram eu police, anyone?

Ever the diplomat, Durov tempers his scorn with a touch of amour for France and its police, lamenting the need to correct misconceptions lest anyone feel too sorely embarrassed. A hero of discretion:

“I love France and respect its police force, so I didn’t want to embarrass anyone by pointing out the above. But I cannot ignore when such obvious misinformation about Telegram is spread.”

The August 2024 arrest certainly sent ripples across the global pond—a curious cocktail of child exploitation and drug trafficking accusations swirling around Telegram’s alleged regulatory laxity. Despite a judicial leash and travel ban, Durov soon received a fleeting passport to roam. The saga only amplifies the never-ending debate over the moral burdens tech barons must carry.

In his parting shot, our indefatigable Telegram titan reasserted the app’s sterling commitment to regulation: “Telegram is the 2nd most popular messaging app in the world. We spend millions each year to comply with laws worldwide. In the EU especially, we start preparing years in advance—because guess what? We like to stay ahead, darling.”

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2025-04-19 12:59