RFK Jr., Elon Musk and others say Telegram messaging app CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Speak out in support of free speech on social media.
“The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent,” RFK Jr. wrote to X in response to the news, just days after endorsing former President Trump.
Pavel Durov, billionaire CEO of messaging app Telegram, was arrested in Paris on Saturday night, Reuters reported, according to TF1 and BFM television. An arrest warrant had been issued for Durov in connection with a preliminary police investigation, TF1 television said.
The investigation concerns his company’s messaging app, which French police believe doesn’t have enough moderators to curb criminal activity, TF1 reported.
Elon Musk and RFK Jr. have spoken out in support of free speech in response to the news that Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been arrested in France. (Left: (Photo by Richard Bord/WireImage), Center: (Photo by AOP.Press/Corbis via Getty Images), Right: (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
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Musk responded to the report by posting on social media, “#FreePavel,” and in several posts called for his arrest.
“These are dangerous times,” he wrote, replying to another tweet that referred to similar cases, including in England.
Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovsky also spoke out about Durov’s arrest.
“France is threatening Lambru and has crossed the line by arresting Telegram CEO Pavel Durov for reportedly failing to censor speech,” he wrote.
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Conservative commentator Ian Miles Chong claimed the arrests were part of a witch hunt.
“This is an attempt to silence dissent and control information. They are trying to make the internet another weapon in their propaganda machine. We are seeing free speech being attacked before our eyes,” he wrote.
Others suggested this would have bigger repercussions, and that the government would go after Musk and Mr. X next.
“They’re going after Telegram because it gives them an excuse to go after X and Elon next,” Joey Mannarino wrote.
Others, including William Shatner, celebrated Durov’s arrest.
“The CEO of @telegram was arrested in France today for failing to moderate the platform. Good thing they’re doing nothing to prevent scams and fraud. I’m sick of scammers using that platform to impersonate me,” he wrote.
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With over 900 million users, Telegram is a messaging app comparable to WhatsApp. The New York Times, It also allows large groups to communicate across a variety of channels.
The New York Times also reported that the app “has come under scrutiny by law enforcement agencies around the world because it is used by terrorist organizations, drug traffickers, arms dealers and far-right extremist groups to communicate, recruit and organize.”
Fox News’ Jasmine Baer contributed to this report.
