Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, has accused the messaging platform of being the target of a coordinated smear campaign, citing the rapid spread of false or misleading reports about its operations and policies.
The CEO highlighted a satirical story initially published by a Russian website about the company’s exit from Russia, which was later widely reposted across news channels, forcing Telegram to issue a public disclaimer. Durov also denied claims that certain data-collecting channels were blocked for political reasons, explaining that only a few channels were briefly taken down by automated scripts due to the publication of personal data, and that media reports often failed to mention the channels had been restored. Additionally, he criticized a flawed investigation from June that falsely accused Telegram of privacy risks and ties to Russia’s FSB, noting that debunking reports received little media attention compared to the original claims.
Durov concluded by emphasizing Telegram’s 12-year commitment to user privacy and free information access, despite facing media pressure from various sides. The allegations come after Durov recently accused French newspaper Le Monde of launching a smear campaign against Telegram following his August 2024 arrest on charges of complicity in alleged crimes committed by its users, including extremism and child abuse.
Detained on charges of complicity in crimes allegedly committed by Telegram users, including extremism and child abuse, Durov was later placed under judicial supervision and released on bail. His legal troubles have intensified the scrutiny on Telegram, drawing further attention to the company’s global operations and its stance on privacy, security, and freedom of expression. This situation underscores the broader challenges faced by tech platforms in maintaining their independence in the face of political and media pressures.