The Dual Nature of Telegram: From Protest Tool to Platform for Criminal Activity

Telegram, a messaging app co-founded by Pavel Durov in 2013, has become one of the world’s largest communication platforms, with over 900 million users. The app’s dual nature has recently put it in the spotlight after Durov was arrested in Paris on August 24, reportedly at the request of a special unit within France’s Interior Ministry that investigates crimes against minors. This incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of Telegram’s role in global communications. 

Initially, Telegram was created in response to the Russian government’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011 and 2012. The app’s primary selling points—encryption of communications and user anonymity—made it an attractive tool for activists worldwide. Telegram gained notoriety during the 2020 Belarus protests against a rigged presidential election, where activists used it to coordinate actions while evading government surveillance. Similarly, during Iran’s 2018 anti-government protests, Telegram was crucial for organizing and sharing uncensored information, attracting an estimated 40 million users in the country. The app’s ability to facilitate communication under oppressive regimes highlighted its potential as a tool for free expression and resistance. 

However, Telegram’s lack of moderation and security features has also made it a haven for criminal activity. Its encryption and anonymity appeal to drug dealers, pedophiles, and those trading illegal goods. A 2019 BBC investigation found that criminals were using Telegram to distribute child sexual ab

[…]
Content was cut in order to protect the source.Please visit the source for the rest of the article.