Telegram’s Durov built a haven for free speech – and child predators

The Russian-born billionaire’s indictment in France has drawn outrage from supporters. But his platform hosts some of the vilest stuff on the internet.

Pranshu Verma, Will Oremus and Gerrit De Vynck

Aug 30, 2024 – 12.47pm

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When Telegram CEO Pavel Durov sat down in his Dubai offices with Tucker Carlson in April, he drove home a high-minded message: “Humanity” needs a neutral messaging app like Telegram that respects “people’s privacy and freedom”.

That vision brought the Russian-born Durov wild success. Telegram has amassed more than 950 million users, drawn by its freewheeling atmosphere and its promise not to share data with law enforcement.

Washington Post