Telegram founder Pavel Durov defends app in first comments since arrest

In a public statement, Telegram founder Pavel Durov defended his messaging app, his first public comment since his arrest in 2017. Durov, known for his enigmatic personality, took to his official Telegram channel to address recent concerns about the app’s security and privacy.

His statement came in response to a wave of criticism sparked by the recent arrest of a suspected terrorist in Germany who allegedly used Telegram to communicate. The incident led to calls for increased government oversight of the platform, with concerns about its potential misuse for criminal activities.

Durov unequivocally rejected these accusations, stating that Telegram is not a tool for terrorists, but rather a secure platform for private communication. He emphasized the app’s end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only the sender and recipient can access messages, making them inaccessible even to Telegram itself.

Durov also noted that Telegram’s open-source code allows for independent audits and verification of its security features, further strengthening its commitment to user privacy. He concluded by calling on users to “be responsible” and use the platform for its intended purpose: secure and private communication.

Durov’s public defense of Telegram comes at a crucial time for the app, which has been under increased scrutiny by governments around the world. His statement, while brief, is a clear demonstration of his commitment to defending the app’s privacy and security principles. Whether this will appease critics remains to be seen, but it certainly underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between user privacy and national security in the digital age.