[diggan]

> "Users near you" functionality is sorely needed in online spaces, considering how much interaction has moved online.

Funny this got mentioned as France just successfully got that very feature removed from Telegram by arresting the founder and citing that feature as the one being used most for abuse.

Bunch of sources about that here: https://ground.news/article/telegram-to-start-moderating-pri...

[moi2388]

That might have been cited as the reason, but I think we all know the real reason is that France is fighting against Russian troops in their former African colonies, and Russian troops mainly use Telegram for their communications.

[broken-kebab]

The last part doesn't sound very convincing. Russian mercenaries are not glued to Telegram, and can quickly switch to Signal if needed. I think "we all know" that real reason maybe more related to French gov't being a bit more direct about their wish to have a hand inside popular messengers.

[foldr]

> France is fighting against Russian troops in their former African colonies

France and Russia are at war now?

Wagner mercenaries moved into Mali after French troops withdrew from it. That's hardly the same thing as French soldiers 'fighting' Russian soldiers.

[moi2388]

There have been some skirmishes, but mainly it’s a Cold War for influence. France got kicked out and replaced by Wagner for example.

France actually does take their control over their former colonies rather seriously.

Perhaps my previous statement was a bit too bold. Let’s just say I would be very surprised if this wasn’t a factor in their decision to now prosecute the owner of Telegram.

[foldr]

>There have been some skirmishes,

Source for this? Skirmishes between French soldiers and Wagner mercenaries?

[older]

Who are those "we" you're talking about?

[moi2388]

Anybody aware of what’s happening in Africa between France, Russia and Wagner

[older]

Is it some kind of secret bunch of people who know this?

[t-3]

The secret bunch who pay attention to Africa. It's not exactly shouted from the rooftops in western countries as public opinion is not quite as favorable towards colonialism and patronage as they were 100+ years ago.

[older]

I'm more interested to know how this secret bunch of people links all that to arrest of Telegram's CEO (who is a French citizen) in France. Sounds like a regular conspiracy theory and claims like "we all know..." just give more of the same conspiracy vibe.

[saagarjha]

It’s one thing to list yourself as being in Atlanta and quite another to basically publish your exact location.