When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
Expert Noelle Acheson suggests Pavel Durov’s arrest reveals deeper issues with Telegram’s moderation and privacy, hinting at broader trends in government control and surveillance.
Acheson, Head of Market Insights at Genesis Global Trading, former head of research at CoinDesk, and author of the “Crypto is Macro Now” newsletter on Substack, shared her thoughts on Pavel Durov’s arrest via her X account on August 25th.
After hours scrolling through the outrage around the arrest last night of Telegram founder Pavel Durov and reading the few reliable news reports I could find, I think we're getting it wrong.
It's not about Telegram censorship. It’s worse.
Durov's arrest is the latest and…
— Noelle Acheson (@NoelleInMadrid) August 25, 2024
Acheson argues that Durov’s arrest highlights how narratives can be manipulated and emphasizes the need to understand the true motivations behind the situation.
While some view the arrest as a free speech issue and censorship, Acheson suggests that the core issue revolves around Telegram’s lack of moderation and accountability for criminal activities. She notes that unregulated messaging platforms face stricter regulations, similar to those imposed on banks, which prioritize control over effective crime prevention.
The arrest might also be driven by political motives, with authorities seeking to access Telegram chats to prevent illegal activities. However, Acheson speculates that authorities likely already monitor these groups through infiltration.
Acheson also views Durov’s arrest as part of a broader trend toward increasing government control and restrictions on freedoms, citing recent European interference in US elections and UK social media regulations as examples.
There is speculation, Acheson notes, that Elon Musk could be the next target due to his vocal resistance to government control over Twitter. Unlike Telegram, which is harder for authorities to monitor due to its privacy features, Twitter’s public nature and Musk’s content guidelines make it a more direct target. However, Acheson believes that going after Musk directly might be too risky given Twitter’s influence.
Ultimately, Acheson believes the issue is not just about censorship, but about privacy. The real intent appears to be monitoring messages and creating profiles that can be targeted or canceled if necessary. While addressing serious crimes like money laundering and terrorism is crucial, Acheson argues that requiring the monitoring of all private messages is equivalent to scrutinizing every private transaction for potential wrongdoing.
Losing access to platforms like X or Telegram might be manageable, but the misuse of personal data to label individuals as “threats” could lead to severe consequences, such as bank closures and no-fly lists.
Finally, Acheson notes that authorities appear to assume the public will prioritize safety over privacy. However, increasing control measures without effectively preventing crime could eventually erode trust. She views Durov’s arrest as part of a troubling trend that deserves attention.
What’s Known About Pavel Durov’s Arrest and the Risks for Telegram Users
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was detained by French authorities on August 24th at Bourget airport near Paris. The arrest is part of an investigation into crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions on the platform. Elon Musk has publicly supported Durov.
Durov’s arrest raises significant concerns about Telegram’s privacy and security measures. With over 900 million users, these concerns are more pressing than ever. Yashin Manraj, CEO at Pvotal, told Techopedia that despite Telegram’s claims of being a secure messaging app, there is no fundamental research proving its security. Users will need to wait and see how the charges against Durov unfold.
