"Misguided": Telegram CEO Pavel Durov hits back at French authorities over his arrest

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov criticized French authorities for charging him with crimes related to illicit activity on the messaging app. Durov denies the app is an "anarchic paradise" and claims to have assisted French authorities in combating terrorism. Despite Telegram's "not perfect" nature, Durov argues that holding CEOs personally responsible for third-party abuse is misguided and stifles innovation. French prosecutors have charged Durov with complicity in crimes such as child sexual abuse material distribution and drug trafficking, as well as refusal to cooperate with law enforcement. Durov believes legal action should be taken against services, not individuals, and that pre-smartphone era laws are inappropriate in this context. He fears that holding CEOs accountable could deter innovation in the tech industry.