Non-copypasta source: https://x.com/canardenchaine/status/1828438807697408059 (When Zlatti_71 signs off with "Remylind23" and can't spell the name of the French newspaper they're attributing, doesn't that make you a bit suspicious? And Le Canard enchaîné is a satirical newspaper, so it's not inconceivable that the story is made-up.)
I find it deeply uncomfortable that the HN contingent is rushing to defend the French government on this matter.
The European Union has been angling for more comprehensive access to messaging platforms with proposal after proposal.
Everyone here loves to sing the praises of the EU but broad regulatory powers is not a clear cut value proposition: European governments and those governed have a long history of oppression.
What's more, many of the broad regulatory powers have been used successfully by despotic regimes like China as cudgels not only to break apart monopolies (good) but to demand unfettered access to data (bad).
These accusations made by the French government of conspiracy on one individual and alleged invitations by a head of state to entrap should be chilling to anyone observing. It reminds me of what happened to Jack Ma, when Ant threatened the CPC's interests.
If Telegram really was not answering enforcement requests in a timely manner, then France should have moved against the company either through a direct ban on the app itself or other court action. Putting its CEO in prison sends a message. That message should be terrifying to anyone who values a free society.
> I find it deeply uncomfortable that the HN contingent is rushing to defend the French government on this matter.
I find it deeply uncomfortable that the HN contingent is rushing to defend Telegram like if it was an open attack of free speach and not justified by Telegram completes lack of cooperation in crime investigations.
>If Telegram really was not answering enforcement requests in a timely manner, then France should have moved against the company either through a direct ban on the app itself or other court action. Putting its CEO in prison sends a message.
Yes, it sends the message that executives are actually responsible for what their company does. That's a good message.
Yes, it does send a message. But it should only have been done after rules have been set and are clear to everyone. Simply, proper law first established and in place and then due and proper process followed.
Acting opportunistically without warning and or out of vengefulness or malice brings Justice into ill-repute.
Like entrapment, this is action is about as low and debased as it gets.
The French Government could have banned Telegram across French territories, not only has it not done that but French leaders actually use the program. Such hypocrisy is mind-blowing.
Whatever happened to Liberté, égalité, fraternité?
> But it should only have been done after rules have been set and are clear to everyone.
Rules are and were always very clear. That's called the law. I don't understand why people here are acting like if there somehow was something surprising in Durov arrest.
> Like entrapment, this is action is about as low and debased as it gets.
There is no entrapment here. Entrapment is illegal in France. Durov was arrested as part of an investigation on Telegram practices. Law inforcement was not in anyway part of Telegarm not respecting the law.
> The French Government could have banned Telegram across French territories
The issue is not about Telegram as an application which is and remains perfectly legal. The issue is with Telegram as a company which is not helping in criminal investigations. Why should France ban a legal application?
The CEO can run away and refuse to collaborate with the investigation or refuse to appear in court to defend his crimes, creating a company to get fa immunity from your crimes is not a thing that works.
I read that the guy is free now but he is not allowed to leave France.
And by this point, platforms also have a decently long history of being evil (and Telegram seems to have a mixed history in trying to combat this natural tendency), so why wouldn't we ?
