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Durov’s arrest has sparked a broader concern about the future of Web3, as this is not the first time an executive who advocated privacy has been attacked by the authorities
A recent report reveals that Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s phone was hacked in 2017, a year before his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. This recent revelation has sent a wave of concern in the crypto community regarding the future of privacy-preserving technologies.
According to sources, Durov was allegedly targeted by intelligence agencies from France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a covert operation known as “Purple Music”. This operation reportedly aimed to infiltrate Durov’s iPhone, driven by the UAE’s concerns over Telegram being used for criminal activities such as recruiting operatives and coordinating attacks.
Russian-born Durov was detained on August 24 at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris. The arrest occurred after Durov arrived on a private jet from Azerbaijan, and is part of a broader investigation involving severe allegations, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and child exploitation. However, as of now, French prosecutors have yet to file formal charges against the Telegram CEO.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal recently reported that Durov met with President Macron in 2018, a year after the alleged hack. During this meeting, Macron reportedly invited Durov to relocate Telegram’s headquarters to Paris. While Durov initially declined this offer, he later requested French citizenship, as per the report.
A Possible Entrapment
This sequence of events has led to speculation about possible entrapment. American entrepreneur and investor Balaji Srinivasan suggested on social media that Telegram might possess evidence proving that Macron’s invitation was a strategic move to lure Durov to France.
Srinivasan proposed that if Macron did indeed lure Durov to France under false pretenses, then Telegram’s servers could hold crucial evidence. Though the French government denies Macron’s invitation to Durov, any such invitation would likely have been made, at least in part, through Telegram, as Macron has reportedly been a longtime user. Srinivasan wrote:
“Needless to say, proof of such skullduggery would be a black eye for France, for Macron, and for anyone in DC who might have been involved with the arbitrary persecution of a tech entrepreneur and his one billion users.”
A Concerning Picture
Durov’s arrest has sparked a broader concern about the future of Web3, as this is not the first time an executive who advocated privacy has been attacked by the authorities. In August 2022, Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev was arrested similarly on allegations of facilitating money laundering.
Following the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Chris Pavlovski, the founder and CEO of Rumble, a video-sharing platform favored by conservatives, announced his departure from Europe. Pavlovski voiced his concerns on X, accusing France of “threatening Rumble”. He claimed that the arrest of Durov was a “red line” that had been crossed.
Toncoin (TON), the digital currency associated with Telegram’s blockchain project, experienced a sharp drop over the weekend. However, the token has since shown resilience, with its market cap rebounding to $13.9 billion and the price rising by 2% in the last 24 hours.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
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With a background in finance and a passion for innovation, Anisha has been covering the ever-evolving world of crypto for over four years. Her deep understanding of the crypto market have made her a trusted source for analysis and news. Whether it's dissecting the latest trends or decoding whitepapers, Anisha is dedicated to bringing clarity to the world of digital assets.
