Is Telegram about to face a ban in India? The popular messaging app finds itself in a precarious position as its CEO Pavel Durov, is caught up in a controversy in France. With tensions rising and the app’s future in India hanging in the balance, this story is rapidly developing into a high-stakes drama. What does this mean for millions of users and the future of Telegram? Dive in to find out!
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What’s The Commotion All About?
The CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov has been arrested in Paris, prompting an investigation into the company in various locations globally, including India. The Indian government is looking into Telegram over concerns of possible involvement in extortion & gambling activities. Depending on the outcome of this investigation, there is a possibility that the app can be potentially banned in India.
The inquiry is being conducted by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
Data Risk On Telegram
As news of this situation occurred, many people expressed concern about the potential consequences of a ban on the instant messaging platform in India. Durov is accused of not taking sufficient measures to prevent the illegal use of the platform, especially concerning the sharing of child sexual abuse material and its alleged links to various criminal activities.
The app is allegedly being used to share leaked exam papers, distribute child pornography, manipulate stock prices, and other frauds. Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram is not end-to-end encrypted. This means that the data shared on the app can potentially be accessed & used by others in harmful ways.
In India, several incidents illustrate the problematic aspects of Telegram. These include the exposure of a stock manipulation scheme via a Telegram group. For instance, a fraud case in Bhopal was recorded where individuals were deceived by fake police using the app. The second instance of fraud involved examination scandals where exam papers for the UGC-NET and NEET-UG were leaked.
An Unexpected Twist!
Surprisingly, Durov’s arrest has sent a chill through the tech scene. Various tech entrepreneurs & internet freedom believe that this arrest establishes a troubling model, and they are using the hashtag #FreePavel to call for his release.
Andy Yen, the founder of Switzerland-based email provider Proton Mail, described this case as “insane” and expressed that tech founders are no longer safe to travel to France.
“This is economic suicide and is rapidly changing the perception of founders and investors,” he said in the mentioned below post.
The unsealed charges against Durov are insane. If sustained, I don't see how tech founders could possibly travel to France, much less hire in France. This is economic suicide and is rapidly and permanently changing the perception of founders and investors. https://t.co/ItYH93wfRX
— Andy Yen (@andyyen) August 26, 2024
Along with Yen, Chris Pavlovski, CEO of Rumble, an online video platform said he had “safely departed” Europe before the chaos outburst unmanageable.
“France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech,” Pavlovski said.
“Rumble will not stand for this behaviour and will use every legal means available to fight for freedom of expression, a universal human right,” he added.
This has to mean something, in the name of freedom of expression.
— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) August 28, 2024
Rumble is already closed in France, and now I personally won’t touch a French product. My wallet will be my voice. #BoycottFrance
Are Online Platforms Like Telegram Liable For User Speech?
Online platforms like Telegram generally have limited legal responsibility for user-generated content due to “safe harbor” protections, which shield them from liability for what users post. For instance, Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act protects platforms from being held accountable for user content, as long as they don’t create or directly moderate that content.
However, platforms are often required to act on illegal content once it’s reported or discovered. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences or loss of safe harbor protections. In some regions, the rules for moderating and removing harmful content can be stricter. For example, the European Union’s Digital Services Act imposes stricter obligations to address illegal content & misinformation.
National rules aren’t one-size-fits-all. In India, new laws mean platforms must follow government orders & handle user complaints. They also have to juggle concerns about user data privacy and security, which are separate from what users post.
How To Safeguard Data From Apps Like Telegram?
Want to keep your data safe on Telegram? Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), use Secret Chats for private conversations, and limit app permissions. Check your active sessions regularly, keep the app updated, and avoid sharing personal info in public groups. A strong, unique password goes a long way. And lastly, stay alert and keep an eye on your privacy settings!
In a nutshell, while platforms typically aren’t held responsible for what users say, they still need to follow local laws and handle content wisely to stay out of legal trouble.
