Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin and Tron blockchain project creator Justin Sun have publicly expressed their support for Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who was recently arrested in France. Their statements were a reaction to the accusations against Durov, which allegedly involve negligence in content moderation in Telegram and refusal to provide user data upon request from law enforcement agencies.
Vitalik Buterin’s Response
Vitalik Buterin, who had previously criticized Telegram for inadequate data protection, now highlights that the accusations could have a negative impact on the future of software and freedom of communication in Europe. He expresses concern about the complex situation that may arise as a result of the current investigation.
Justin Sun’s Proposal
Justin Sun proposed creating a decentralized autonomous organization called FreePavel, the goal of which is to contribute to Durov’s release. Sun is willing to donate $1 million to this initiative if it receives widespread support. However, some consider Sun’s proposal a joke, considering Durov’s estimated capital of $15.5 billion, as he is capable of covering his own legal expenses.
According to the latest information, a judge has extended Durov’s detention period for up to 96 hours, meaning that by August 28, it will be decided whether he will be released or charged and kept in custody. The charges include criminal negligence, as Durov is accused of not taking the necessary measures to prevent the use of Telegram for illegal purposes.
The situation with Durov’s arrest has drawn the attention of the crypto community and sparked discussions about the future legislation and regulation in the field of technology and internet freedom.
