Telegram CEO Durov Unveils New Measures to Combat Illicit Content

Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, revealed on Friday a series of new features to counteract illicit content, bots, and scammers on the messaging app. This announcement came a week after his arrest by French authorities for not adequately managing content on the platform. Following his arrest on August 24 at Le Bourget airport near Paris, Durov, who is rarely seen speaking publicly, criticized the charges as "misguided" and "surprising," stressing that Telegram is "not perfect" but committed to increasing action against illegal activities, which he insists involve only a minuscule fraction of its 950 million users.

Durov noted that while most users have no link to criminal activity, a small minority creates a negative impression of the entire platform, jeopardizing nearly one billion users’ interests. Determined to transform Telegram moderation from criticism to commendation, Durov announced the removal of the "people nearby" feature, exploited by bots and scammers but used by less than 0.1% of users. Instead, the platform is launching "businesses nearby" to promote legitimate, verified businesses. Additionally, Telegram has disabled new media uploads to its Telegraph blogging tool due to misuse by anonymous actors.

Having spent four days in detention, the 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was charged with several counts related to failing to curb extremist and illegal content on Telegram. Granted bail for five million euros ($5.5 million) on the condition that he reports to a police station twice weekly and remains in France, Durov defiantly stated that it was unjust for France to hold him liable for crimes committed by third-party users of the platform. Holding citizenships from Russia, France, and the UAE, where Telegram is headquartered, Durov maintains a low-key public profile. Forbes estimates his wealth at $15.5 billion. Durov also advocates an ascetic lifestyle that includes ice baths and abstaining from alcohol or coffee.

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