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Agence France-Presse

The arrest and charging of Telegram founder Pavel Durov is a complex case which raises a lot of human rights concerns, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
The Russian-born chief of the popular but controversial messaging app was sensationally detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on August 24 and then charged with a litany of violations related to the messaging app.
He was also banned from leaving France.
Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov’s detention, with supporters seeing the 39-year-old as a champion of freedom of speech, and detractors as a menace who wilfully allowed Telegram to get out of control.
“This is a very complex case. It raises a lot of human rights concerns,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office.
She told a media briefing that the Geneva-based agency was considering publishing a paper setting out “the parameters within which these situations should be looked at”.
She also cited the recent blocking of X in Brazil, where the country’s supreme court on Monday ratified the decision by one of its judges to suspend the social media platform for alleged judicial transgressions.
Brazil’s suspension of X “also raises similar concerns about states having the duty to ensure that social media platforms comply with the law that freedom of expression is permitted”, but in line with certain restrictions, Shamdasani said.

She called for any restrictions that are imposed to be “proportional” and “in line with international human rights standards”.
“So we are following this case, and it’s difficult for us to get more specific at this point” on the case and the charges against Durov, because the UN Human Rights Office does not have access “to the full information.”
She said states should be able to regulate platforms, which themselves should comply with laws consistent with international human rights law.
“The principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, hate speech, incitement to hatred or violence, harmful disinformation, need to be addressed,” she said.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk wrote to the owner of X Elon Musk in November 2022, urging him to make respect for human rights central to the social network.
In an open letter, he warned against propagating hate speech and misinformation and highlighted the need to protect user privacy.


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France

Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s arrest in France raises human rights concerns: UN

The UN expressed concern over the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France, citing human rights violations. Photo: Bloomberg

The UN raised human rights concerns over Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s arrest in France, stressing the need for proportional regulation of social media platforms. Photo: Reuters

Who is Pavel Durov, Telegram founder dubbed the ‘Russian Zuckerberg’ arrested in France?

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging service Telegram, in 2017. File photo: AP

Pavel Durov in 2015. File photo: AFP

In a statement, Telegram said it abides by EU laws. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pavel Durov, in a photo from his Instagram account. File photo: @durov/Instagram

Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s various citizenships add to mystery of his arrest

The Dubai skyline. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates. Photos: Agence France-Presse and Bloomberg

Pavel Durov in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2017. File photo: AP

The Caribbean Islands nation of St Kitts and Nevis is a popular tax haven for the wealthy. Photo: Shutterstock

Pavel Durov at a cafe in Moscow, Russia in 2012. File photo: AP 

Telegram’s Pavel Durov charged, banned from leaving France

Pavel Durov in 2016. The Telegram CEO has been released on bail in France. File photo: Bloomberg

Pavel Durov’s lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski. Photo: EPA-EFE

Telegram has positioned itself as a ‘neutral’ alternative to US-owned platforms. File photo: AFP

Ukraine war: after Telegram founder arrest, Russians fear loss of ‘main information source’

France’s arrest of Telegram chief Pavel Durov raises fears in Russia of a potential block, threatening one of the last sources of uncensored news. Photo: AFP

Telegram’s role as a key source of uncensored news in Russia is at risk after France’s arrest of its founder, Pavel Durov, sparking widespread concern. Photo: AFP

Macron denies Telegram founder Durov’s arrest ‘political’ as France extends detention

Founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov. File photo: Reuters

Telegram said it abided by European Union laws. Photo: AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AFP

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The UN is considering outlining parameters for such cases, highlighting the need for adherence to global standards when regulating social media


The agency is considering a paper outlining the parameters for such cases, highlighting the need for proportionality and adherence to international standards when regulating social media platforms.
