Durov Pledges to Improve Moderation on Telegram
Russian billionaire Pavel Durov has vowed to take all necessary measures to enhance moderation on Telegram. According to French media reports, he made this statement on December 6 while appearing before two judges in Paris. The Telegram founder was questioned for 10 hours regarding the platform's role in illegal activities.
When asked why Telegram has become a hub for drug dealers, fraudsters, hackers, and other cybercriminals, Durov acknowledged that such users harm the messenger’s reputation. He assured the court that his company is committed to strengthening its moderation processes. Durov stated that Telegram removes between 15 to 20 million accounts globally each month for violating laws. He also pointed out that similar challenges exist on other social media platforms.
Addressing concerns about the spread of child exploitation content, Durov emphasized his company’s strict stance on the issue. He assured the judges that Telegram promptly deletes such materials—often on the same day they are detected. He further noted that Telegram collaborates with international organizations dedicated to combating child abuse.
As evidence of this cooperation, Durov revealed that in the six months leading up to December 2024, Telegram had provided law enforcement agencies worldwide with 10,000 sets of user data upon request. Moreover, between his arrest in late August and the end of September, the platform responded to every request submitted by the French juvenile protection unit.
One of the key concerns raised by the judges was Telegram’s “People Nearby” feature, which was disabled following Durov’s arrest. French investigators suspect that criminals used this function for illicit activities, including drug trafficking and prostitution.
Russian billionaire Pavel Durov has vowed to take all necessary measures to enhance moderation on Telegram. According to French media reports, he made this statement on December 6 while appearing before two judges in Paris. The Telegram founder was questioned for 10 hours regarding the platform's role in illegal activities.
When asked why Telegram has become a hub for drug dealers, fraudsters, hackers, and other cybercriminals, Durov acknowledged that such users harm the messenger’s reputation. He assured the court that his company is committed to strengthening its moderation processes. Durov stated that Telegram removes between 15 to 20 million accounts globally each month for violating laws. He also pointed out that similar challenges exist on other social media platforms.
Addressing concerns about the spread of child exploitation content, Durov emphasized his company’s strict stance on the issue. He assured the judges that Telegram promptly deletes such materials—often on the same day they are detected. He further noted that Telegram collaborates with international organizations dedicated to combating child abuse.
Durov admitted that his time in custody heightened his awareness of these problems. "It was during my detention that I fully realized the gravity of these issues," he confessed, explaining why Telegram has ramped up its cooperation with law enforcement.
As evidence of this cooperation, Durov revealed that in the six months leading up to December 2024, Telegram had provided law enforcement agencies worldwide with 10,000 sets of user data upon request. Moreover, between his arrest in late August and the end of September, the platform responded to every request submitted by the French juvenile protection unit.
One of the key concerns raised by the judges was Telegram’s “People Nearby” feature, which was disabled following Durov’s arrest. French investigators suspect that criminals used this function for illicit activities, including drug trafficking and prostitution.
Durov's statements suggest that Telegram is under increasing pressure to enhance its security measures and regulatory compliance while maintaining its core principles of user privacy and freedom of c
ommunication.
