Raffaele Angius is a journalist media innovation advisor based in Turin. He works togheter with Hermes Center for Transparency and Digital Human Rights, Facebook Tracking Exposed and Futura News. After a period as a free-lance journalist in Middle East he specialized in the design and deployment of ...

The Privacy Guarantor Freezes Conte's Idea: Immuni Remains Voluntary

22 Oct 2020  |  www.wired.it  |  Italian  |  Technology

The Italian Privacy Guarantor, led by Pasquale Stanzione, reaffirms that the Immuni app must remain voluntary, balancing public health and personal data protection rights. The authority also addresses concerns about deepfake images on Telegram, initiating an investigation to ensure compliance with data protection laws.

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Telegram Autorità garante per la protezione dei dati personali Senato Governo

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Ed Augustin is a British journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Havana. He writes for the Guardian, the New York Times, and Al Jazeera. He does broadcast work for TRT World, France 24 and Al Jazeera.

During his time in Cuba, Ed has made films about Guantánamo Bay, the impact of the US ...

In Cuba, cryptocurrency gains momentum

09 May 2022  |  www.nbcnews.com  |  English  |  Financial Innovation

Cryptocurrency use in Cuba has grown significantly, with estimates of 100,000 to 200,000 Cubans using digital currencies like bitcoin, ethereum, and avalanche. This growth is attributed to the launch of mobile internet and tighter U.S. sanctions, particularly the ban on remittances through Western Union. Cubans use cryptocurrencies for remittances, savings protection against inflation, and business transactions, including international payments for goods and services. The Cuban government is creating a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, indicating a recognition of their potential benefits despite the Communist Party's wariness of private wealth accumulation. Some entrepreneurs and individuals have embraced cryptocurrencies for their anonymity and ability to bypass U.S. sanctions, and there is speculation that the Cuban state may also be using them for international payments.

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Telegram Western Union Communist Party of Cuba Central Bank of Cuba

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Marco Carlone is a freelance videojournalist and photographer based in Turin, Italy.
He works since 2013 in the Balkans and in Eastern Europe. He deals with topics such as minority communities, environment, geopolitics.
His works have been published by several European media outlets like Euronews,...

Michael Colborne is a Canadian freelance journalist covering all things central and eastern Europe. His words and pictures have been published in Coda Story, CBC, Sydney Morning Herald, Al Jazeera, Open Democracy, National Post and other places. 

Before moving into journalism Michael spent eight ...

Meet Slovakia’s Most Popular Telegrammer – A Far-Right Conspiracist Now Wanted by Law Enforcement

19 Aug 2022  |  www.bellingcat.com  |  English  |  Social Media

Danny Kollár, a far-right figure in Slovakia, has been spreading disinformation and conspiracies through his Telegram channel, which has over 50,000 subscribers. Known legally as Daniel Bombic, he is wanted by Slovak law enforcement for evading prosecution and extremism charges. Kollár has been influential in anti-vax and far-right circles, promoting theories such as 'white genocide' and the 'Great Replacement'. His activities have raised concerns among experts about the evolving tactics of far-right groups online. Slovak police have issued a European Arrest Warrant for Bombic, who has been living in the UK for over a decade. Despite his claims of non-violence, Kollár has doxxed critics and incited harassment against them.

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Telegram Slovak Police Specialised Criminal Court National Crime Agency (NAKA) YouTube

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Anna Conkling is a freelance journalist from New York. Her work focuses on current events, climate change, the war in Ukraine, and pop culture.

Soldier Kink Sweeps Ukraine: Messages Surge When We’re Kicking Putin’s Butt

05 Jul 2023  |  ca.movies.yahoo.com  |  English  |  Military

Ukrainian soldiers, since the full-scale invasion by Russia 16 months ago, have unexpectedly become the focus of adoration and sexual attention from women, receiving flirty messages and unsolicited nude pictures on social media. This phenomenon has been a source of stress relief for some and a burden for others. Soldiers like Vadim and Dmitriy have gained social media followings, with women expressing their support and admiration, sometimes leading to relationships. The attention fluctuates with the success of Ukraine's military operations, and while some soldiers welcome the interaction, others, like Dmitriy, prefer support in the form of fundraising and donations for the military.

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Telegram Armed Forces of Ukraine Instagram

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Dominic Culverwell is a journalist based between Berlin and Kyiv. 
Politics, business, economics, banking, conflict, culture. 

Bylines- Financial Times, Radio Free Europe, EuroNews, bne IntelliNews, New Eastern Europe, EYESORE.

Russian forces attack Odesa, injuring five

05 Nov 2023  |  The Kyiv Independent  |  English  |  Aerial Attacks

On the night of November 5, Russian forces launched a series of attacks on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, resulting in five residents being hospitalized with shrapnel wounds, as reported by Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper on Telegram. The Ukrainian Air Force detected incoming Shahed-type drones and warned of missiles heading towards Odesa and other regions. Despite reports of explosions and active air defense, the all-clear was given later that night. Earlier that day, a Russian missile strike wounded three people and damaged infrastructure in Odesa Oblast. Over the weekend, Russian forces also targeted Kherson Oblast with over 50 guided aerial bombs, including an attack on a village school that caused property damage but no casualties.

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Telegram

Antony Dapiran is a writer & commentator based in Hong Kong. He is the author of two books on Hong Kong, including most recently "City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong" (Scribe, 2020). His bylines have appeared in The Atlantic, New Statesman, Foreign Policy, Quartz, The Guardian, Bloomberg Opinion, ...

“Be Water!“: seven tactics that are winning Hong Kong’s democracy revolution

01 Aug 2019  |  www.newstatesman.com  |  English  |  Government Accountability

For nearly two months, Hong Kong has been engulfed in anti-government protests that evolved from opposition to an extradition bill into a broader pro-democracy movement. Young activists have adopted agile, leaderless tactics inspired by Bruce Lee's philosophy of 'Be Water,' utilizing mobile protests, online forums, and peer-to-peer technologies like AirDrop. They have developed sophisticated methods to neutralize tear gas, avoid stampedes, and maintain supply lines. The movement has also garnered international attention through crowdfunded advertisements. Key figures like Joshua Wong and Benny Tai are highlighted, while the Hong Kong government's response is criticized.

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Telegram Hong Kong Government Chinese University of Hong Kong

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Experienced multimedia journalist and award-winning podcast producer. Bilingual in Russian, French, and English. Interest and understanding of environmental, human rights and social justice issues as well as Russia and the former Soviet states politics.

Soviet WWII propaganda revised to hail detained Belarus opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova

10 Sept 2020  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Belarus Elections

One month after Belarus' disputed election, the opposition remains active, using social media like Telegram to communicate. Artist Anna Redko's Instagram post, reimagining a Soviet WWII poster to feature opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova, has become a protest symbol. Kolesnikova, known for tearing her passport to avoid expulsion, is celebrated as a 'hero'. Redko's artwork, projecting Kolesnikova with white flowers and a torn passport, has been projected on a building in Minsk and symbolizes support for the Belarusian people.

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Telegram Instagram

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Viola Gaskell is a journalist based in Hawai'i. Her work includes photography and writing on various elements of local culture including the wealth of traditional and modern storylines that collide on a daily basis. 

Viola graduated with a Bachelors degree in Visual & Multimedia Journalism from ...

Hong Kong Protesters Have Created Their Own Uber to Keep Themselves Safe

01 Nov 2019  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Police Violence

Five university students in Hong Kong have created a volunteer ride-sharing service using Telegram to help protesters safely navigate the city amidst ongoing pro-democracy protests. The service, likened to Uber, connects protesters with volunteer drivers who transport them away from dangerous areas. The initiative emerged in response to public transportation shutdowns and police violence. Despite the withdrawal of the controversial extradition bill, protests continue with demands for free elections and an independent investigation into police actions. The article highlights the dedication and humanity of the volunteers, contrasting it with the perceived failures of public services and police aggression.

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Telegram MTR Corp Hong Kong Police

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Guy Hedgecoe is a journalist based in Madrid, Spain. He covers all news issues, including politics, economics and sport. He is author of 'Freezing Franco: The Battle for Spain's Memory'.

Artificial Intelligence: the fake images of naked children that shocked a Spanish town

24 Sept 2023  |  www.bbc.com  |  Portuguese  |  Cybercrime

A quiet town in southern Spain, Almendralejo, is shocked by the revelation that fake nude images of local girls, generated by Artificial Intelligence, were circulating on social media without their knowledge. The images were created from fully clothed photos of the girls, many taken from their social media accounts, using an app that generates an imaginary image of the person nude. Over 20 girls aged between 11 and 17 have come forward as victims. The Spanish National Police are investigating, with at least 11 local boys identified as involved in creating or circulating the images via WhatsApp and Telegram. There's also an investigation into an extortion attempt using one of the fake images. The case has gained national attention in Spain, largely due to the efforts of Miriam Al Adib Mendiri, a gynecologist and mother of one of the girls, who used her social media profile to bring the issue to public attention.

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Telegram WhatsApp Spanish National Police

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JElena JAnkovic is a journalist based in Beograd, Serbia.

Prosecution Investigates Online Death Threats to US Ambassador in Serbia

16 Apr 2023  |  Radio Slobodna Evropa  |  Serbian  |  Political Tensions

The Serbian Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime has initiated an investigation into death threats made against US Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, and journalist and professor Dinko Gruhonjić. The threats surfaced on the Telegram channel 'Bunt je stanje duha' following Hill's visit to the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, which had been previously blockaded by right-wing groups demanding Gruhonjić's resignation for criticizing nationalist narratives in Serbia. Gruhonjić has been targeted with thousands of threats over the internet, and now similar threats are directed at the US representative. The US Embassy has not publicly commented on the threats. Direct death threats were identified from at least four accounts on right-wing and pro-Russian Telegram channels. The threats included a doctored photo of Ambassador Hill in the crosshairs of a sniper and comments such as 'I would coldly kill this Hill without a twinge of conscience' and 'Kill Hill.' The visit by Ambassador Hill to the Faculty of Philosophy was part of an official visit, during which he discussed media freedoms in Serbia and the threats faced by journalists, professors, and students in Novi Sad.

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Telegram US Embassy in Serbia Independent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina (NDNV)

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Alireza Manafzadeh is a historian-journalist based in Paris, France.

Iran: Three weeks after its discovery, where is the body of Reza Shah?

11 May 2018  |  RFI  |  French  |  Public Sentiment

The discovery of Reza Shah's mummified body has sparked widespread interest and debate among Iranians, particularly on social media. Reza Shah is recognized as the founder of modern Iran, and despite the Islamic Republic's tradition of erasing traces of previous dynasties, his legacy is now being revisited with reverence, especially by the younger generation disillusioned with the current regime. The Islamic Republic faces a dilemma regarding the handling of the body, with public pressure mounting for information on its whereabouts. Amidst this, the government has blocked Telegram, a popular messaging network in Iran, citing its use by opposition groups.

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Telegram Pahlavi Dynasty Islamic Republic of Iran

Laís Martins is a journalist based in São Paulo, Brazil.

Clickworkers are turning against each other

30 Mar 2023  |  Rest of World  |  English  |  Labor Market

In Brazil, microworkers are increasingly excluding newcomers from online forums to protect their jobs and rates on platforms like Appen, Amazon Mechanical Turk, and UHRS. Veteran microworkers blame new participants for driving down pay rates and are preparing for a surge in AI-related tasks. Despite the competition, they remain hopeful about the future of AI work, which often requires language- and culture-specific knowledge. Projects that used to pay $10 an hour now offer $3.50, and some microworkers are defending Brazilian Portuguese tasks from non-native speakers to maintain quality. The global generative AI market is expected to grow significantly, suggesting a continued demand for microwork.

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Telegram WhatsApp State University of Minas Gerais

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Henrik Merker is a journalist based in Leipzig, Germany. Specialized on political extremism, investigative journalism, fact checking and fixing.

Murder Plans Against Michael Kretschmer: Who Are the Dresden Residents Around Daniel G.?

15 Dec 2021  |  ZEIT ONLINE ze.tt  |  German  |  Politics

Six individuals, including five men and one woman, are suspected of planning the assassination of Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and other state politicians. The suspects, aged between 32 and 64, were active in a Telegram chat group of radicalized anti-vaccine opponents. The group, led by Daniel G., was found to possess weapons and discussed violent actions against vaccination teams. The police conducted raids in Dresden and Heidenau, uncovering weapons and Nazi propaganda. The investigation continues to determine the extent of the group's plans and the involvement of its members.

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Telegram Sächsisches Landeskriminalamt ZDF Frontal Pegida Stasi-Unterlagenbehörde

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Alyssa Moxley is a writer and audio producer based in Athens, Greece. She is available for investigative reports, detailed cultural analysis, and interviews for print and radio. She is also available for audio recording (for radio or video) needs with high quality equipment. She has expertise in ...

The Telegram Problem + Gov. Kathy Hochul on School Phone Bans + Kevin’s A.I. Reputation Rehab

30 Aug 2024  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  Artificial Intelligence

Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France and charged with several crimes related to his platform's operation, raising significant concerns for the internet. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York discusses her proposal to ban phones in public schools statewide. Additionally, Kevin explores the possibility of manipulating A.I. chatbot outputs using secret codes, examining the feasibility and implications of such actions.

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Telegram New York State Government

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British journalist, editor, and researcher. Work published in the Guardian, POLITICO Europe, New Statesman, Vice, The Moscow Times, and New Eastern Europe. 

Now primarily in London/Baltics but open to Russia-based commissions with the appropriate arrangements.

Migrants Coerced into Fighting Putin’s War

01 Dec 2023  |  cepa.org  |  English  |  Human Rights

The article reports on the coercive recruitment of migrants and ethnic minorities into the Russian military, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. It highlights the forced conscription practices in various Russian regions, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Vladivostok, and the targeting of vulnerable third-country nationals. The Kremlin's efforts to avoid a new wave of official mobilization before the upcoming election season are noted, along with punitive measures against those who evade military duty. The article underscores the human rights abuses and the exploitation of distressed individuals for military purposes.

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Baza Telegram channel Kremlin Investigative Committee Fontanka Bellingcat

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Jose Luis Peñarredonda is a journalist based in Bogotá, Colombia. He works in English and Spanish and specialises in science and technology reporting, current affairs, and food journalism in Central and South America. He does news and feature writing, radio and video production.

Josephine Platt is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom. She freelances across culture, lifestyle and travel – covering topics from Gen Z's online behaviours, conspiratorial thinking and why regenerative travel needs to go mainstream. She's formerly Senior Commissioning Editor at Culture ...

Understanding Environmental Racism and Its Impact on Marginalised Communities

16 Jun 2020  |  Culture Trip  |  English  |  Health Disparities

Hazardous industries are often located in marginalized communities, a phenomenon known as environmental racism. The article examines the case of the Pictou Landing First Nation in Nova Scotia, where toxic waste from Northern Pulp caused severe health issues. Despite decades of campaigning, the Boat Harbour Act was passed in 2020 to end the mill's operations. Dr. Ingrid Waldron's research highlights the intersection of race, socioeconomic status, and rural living in the siting of hazardous industries. The Flint water crisis and the impact of Covid-19 on marginalized communities further illustrate the issue. Efforts to address environmental racism include a new bill introduced by Liberal Nova Scotia MP Lenore Zann.

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The Telegram Pictou Landing First Nation Canadian Government Michigan State Government Vice US The New York Times Liberal Nova Scotia MP

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Ugo Poletti is a journalist based in Odessa, Ukraine.

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of “The Odessa Journal”, digital media platform in English about culture, history, social and business life in Odessa, biggest port and cultural capital of Black Sea region

Moscow Fire Cuts Heat for Residents in Sub-zero Temps

04 Dec 2023  |  Kyiv Post  |  English  |  Weather

A fire at a transformer substation in Moscow's Vysokovolotny Proezd caused a power outage affecting over 20 high-rise buildings in the Bibirevo, Otradnoye, and Medvedkovo districts. Residents faced sub-zero temperatures, with indoor temperatures dropping to 10-15 degrees Celsius. Authorities are working to switch buildings to backup power sources, while the cause of the fire remains unknown. This incident occurred during Moscow's coldest night of the winter season, with temperatures reaching minus 27.1 degrees Celsius.

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Mash Telegram

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Former Reuters multimedia reporter now freelancing in Spain for international media after being based in Mexico, Brazil, USA, Canada, Portugal and UK. Has grilled both Fidel Castro and George W. Bush at news conferences, covered everything from World Cup finals to plane crashes, and from ...

Liam Scott is an independent journalist based in Washington, D.C. He focuses on human rights and mass atrocities, China, press freedom, and disinformation.

Russian Authorities Add New Charges Against RFE/RL Journalist

13 Dec 2023  |  Voice of America  |  English  |  Russian Legal System

Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service, faces new charges by Russian authorities for allegedly spreading false news about the Russian military, which could add 10 years to her potential sentence. She was already charged with failing to register as a 'foreign agent.' RFE/RL's acting President Jeffrey Gedmin and other press freedom advocates have condemned the charges, calling for an end to her 'cruel persecution.' Kurmasheva has been detained since October after her passports were confiscated in June. The Supreme Court of Tatarstan has extended her pretrial detention. Meanwhile, Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist with The Wall Street Journal, has been declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. after being charged with espionage in Russia. Press freedom groups and U.S. lawmakers are urging the State Department to declare Kurmasheva wrongfully detained to aid in her release.

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Baza Telegram channel Tatar-Inform U.S. Congress Reporters Without Borders U.S. State Department Russian Embassy in Washington Supreme Court of Tatarstan

Mark Scott is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Digital Bridge: Your digital policy guide for 2024

20 Dec 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Elections

The article discusses key digital policy issues for 2024, highlighting the growing divide between AI development and regulation, the challenges of social media oversight during the global election cycle, and the differing digital policy approaches of the U.S. and EU. It emphasizes the need for realistic AI governance, the potential risks of unregulated AI innovation, and the importance of protecting citizens from harm. The article also addresses the challenges social media platforms face in maintaining election integrity and the ongoing geopolitical tensions influencing digital policy.

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Telegram White House European Union United Nations Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development G7 G20 China Meta Alphabet X Facebook YouTube TikTok Rumble Odyssey TruthSocial

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Sudeep Singh is a journalist based in Chandigarh, India.

Vidar Distributed Through Backdoored Windows 11 Downloads and Abusing Social Media

01 Apr 2023  |  Security Boulevard  |  English  |  Information Stealing

ThreatLabz, a research team from Zscaler, discovered a campaign where threat actors spoofed the Microsoft Windows 11 OS download portal to distribute malicious ISO files leading to Vidar infostealer infections. These domains were registered in April 2022 and used to spread malware that fetches command and control (C2) configurations from social media channels on Telegram and Mastodon. The same actors also hosted backdoored versions of Adobe Photoshop on GitHub, employing similar tactics. The malware samples are packed with Themida and use social media for C2 communication, a new tactic for these actors. The blog post provides a technical analysis of the malware, including MD5 hashes of the malicious files, and details on how the malware operates. Zscaler's cloud sandbox can detect these threats, and the company advises users to download software only from official vendor websites.

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Telegram ThreatLabz GitHub Mastodon

Jerome is The Times Africa Correspondent, based in Nairobi. Before that he lived in Afghanistan and worked for various newspapers and broadcasters.

Grieving Mother Honors Slain Ukrainian War Hero

11 Dec 2023  |  The Irish Sun  |  English  |  Human Rights Violations

The article discusses the execution of Ukrainian war hero Oleksandr Matsievskiy by Russian forces, which was captured on video and circulated on social media. Oleksandr was forced to dig his own grave before being shot after saying 'Glory to Ukraine'. His mother, Paraska Demchuk, mourns her son and reflects on his bravery. Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into his death, and he has been posthumously awarded a medal by President Volodymyr Zelensky. A monument in his honor has been unveiled in Kyiv. The article also touches on the broader context of the war in Ukraine, including the potential consequences if Western financial aid ceases, as indicated by Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's first lady. The article mentions a recent block by US Republican senators on a bill for additional aid to Ukraine.

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TELEGRAM/UNPIXS Getty

Teresa Suárez (Oviedo, 1993) is a Spanish photographer  and journalist based in Paris since 2014. 
As a documentary photographer, she focuses on exploring issues related to gender, territory or identity — subjects which she has developed in different contries of Europe (Spain, France, Austria, ...

President Emmanuel Macron complained false information was circulating

29 Aug 2024  |  WFMZ.com  |  English  |  Emmanuel Macron

President Emmanuel Macron denied any political involvement in the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was detained in France on charges related to the messaging app. Durov, after being charged, was banned from leaving the country but released after four days in custody. The situation highlights ongoing legal challenges for Telegram and its founder.

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Telegram

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