[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.

[moi2388]

Haha alright. Easy there. I am not a conspiracy theorist at all, nor is it ‘a bunch of secret people’.

It’s well documented that France is fighting with Wagner in their former colonies, as well as Russia undermining their influence there.

It’s also well documented that Wagner and Russian troops mainly use Telegram for communication, same as in Ukraine. Again, well documented.

And these messages are stored on Russian Telegram services.

Telegram was completely fine to use in France, until Wagner started causing issues in Africa and then it suddenly became a problem.

But we’ll see what happens with the court case.

[t-3]

Yeah, I highly doubt Russian soldiers/mercenaries using Telegram is the main reason France went after Durov, but the conflicts and influence wars between Russia and colonialist powers in Africa is well-known and has been happening for a while.