Rumble CEO Leaves Europe Following Telegram Chief’s Arrest

Chris Pavlovski, the founder and CEO of Rumble, a platform positioning itself as a censorship-resistant alternative to YouTube, announced his departure from Europe following the arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

Pavlovski, a Canadian citizen, revealed his departure on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, August 25, stating, “I’ve just safely left Europe.” He accused France of crossing a “red line” by arresting Durov and alleged that the country had issued threats against Rumble.

Rumble had previously restricted access to its platform in France in November 2022 after the French government requested the removal of certain Russian news outlets. Rumble, which vowed to challenge the demand legally, saw this as an infringement on its commitment to free speech. Earlier this year, Pavlovski also reported that Russia had blocked Rumble for not adhering to censorship requests.

“We are currently engaged in legal battles in France and call for Pavel Durov’s immediate release,” Pavlovski added in his post. However, he did not disclose which country he had departed from or his current location. Rumble has not yet commented on the situation.

Rumble, with its headquarters in Florida and Ontario, has gained attention for its less restrictive approach to content moderation, distinguishing itself from major platforms like Meta and Google. It has particularly resonated with users who favor fewer content restrictions, including many with conservative views.

Durov, who holds French citizenship despite his Russian origins, was detained by French authorities on August 24 at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. His arrest stemmed from an investigation led by France’s judicial police, reportedly linked to Telegram’s alleged failure to adequately moderate illegal activities on its platform, including child exploitation, drug trafficking, fraud, and terrorism.

Telegram responded to the arrest by affirming its adherence to EU regulations and insisting that its moderation practices meet industry standards and are continually improving. The company defended Durov, asserting that he has “nothing to hide” and travels frequently within Europe.

With nearly a billion users worldwide, Telegram described as “absurd” any claims holding the platform or its owner responsible for abuses carried out by users. French authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding Durov’s arrest but are anticipated to do so on Monday, August 26.

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