Kremlin tries to calm fears over security of Telegram after arrest of founder Durov in France

The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France has raised concerns about the future of the messaging platform, especially in Russia where it is widely used and crucial for coordinating the war effort in Ukraine. The Russian government has tried to ease fears by dismissing calls for users to delete their sensitive messages on the app as “utterly stupid.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that French authorities need to present substantial evidence supporting the allegations against Durov. The Kremlin’s response underscores the app’s importance to Russia’s military. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the charges against Durov were not politically motivated. Telegram, with around 950 million users, is popular for its encryption, limited content moderation, and functionality, making it vital in countries with limited freedom of speech and in war zones like Ukraine. The app’s features also make it a key communication tool for the Russian military.