The arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, has not only raised questions about the charges against him, but also about the peculiar relationship between the tech entrepreneur and the French government. In 2018, President Emmanuel Macron extended an olive branch, inviting Durov to lunch and offering him French citizenship in the hope of bringing Telegram under greater French regulatory oversight. Fast forward to today, and Durov finds himself under arrest, facing serious charges. This series of events – from lunch invitations and citizenship to sudden detainment – suggests both cooperation and coercion have characterised France’s approach to Telegram.
Macron’s actions since Durov’s arrest suggest he is feeling defensive, perhaps with good reason. Macron himself has been a frequent user of Telegram, utilising the platform for his own communications, particularly during his presidential campaigns. Is Macron’s aggressive stance towards Telegram being influenced by his own reliance on the platform, and what secrets his communications might hold?
Macron’s actions since Durov’s arrest suggest he is feeling defensive, perhaps with good reason
Macron has made two defensive statements since Durov’s arrest.
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