The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that free expression may be limited for public order, morals, and health reasons. Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is a technology innovator who values free expression and has established an anti-establishmentarian image by allowing dissidents to use the messaging app, even at the cost of national security. The detention and arrest of the individual by French authorities for criminal activities on the app has sparked concerns about the impact on internet freedom of expression. However, the solution is more complicated.
The app’s laissez-faire approach to material has led to extremists, drug traffickers, scammers, and child pornography, as reported in France. Monsieur Durov has stated that “privacy…is more important than our fear of bad things happening …and that, to be truly free, you should be ready to risk everything for freedom” . Is it possible to prioritize preventing risks to people’s safety and freedom over personal responsibility? This is an important question about messaging apps and “free speech absolutists” like Mr. Durov.
Telegram’s social networking capabilities make it more than just a messaging software. The app’s encryption techniques enable dissidents and anti-state actors to use it without inspection, but it lacks “end-to-end” encryption like Signal. Telegram may read messages related to criminal behavior, misinformation, and child pornography and may respond to law enforcement inquiries. Telegram responded to Mr. Durov’s detention by stating that its moderation “is within industry standards” and questioning the platform/owner’s responsibility for “abuse of that platform”.
If France conducts investigations and finds that the platform refused to suppress hate speech, disinformation, and criminal content, Mr. Durov may face legal consequences. In India, the negative effects of misinformation on platforms like WhatsApp were obvious years ago, prior to regulations. These measures helped prevent the spread of disinformation. To maintain its reputation as a forum for free speech, Telegram must prioritize responsible content moderation and avoid absolutism.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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