Digital Services Act Archives

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

Discord: Why the messaging app is under scrutiny

Russia's telecoms regulator, Roskomnadzor, banned Discord due to its failure to prevent illicit activities such as terrorism and drug trafficking, particularly after not complying with a directive to remove nearly a thousand pieces of inappropriate content. This ban is part of a trend targeting Western social media platforms since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. Following Russia, Turkey's BTK communications authority also banned Discord, citing the need to protect children from online threats and ongoing investigations into blackmailing minors. In the U.S., Discord is under FBI scrutiny for grooming minors and distributing child sexual abuse material, with 35 prosecutions linked to the platform in the past six years. Additionally, regulators in Germany and France have raised concerns about Discord's data collection methods, leading to an €800,000 fine in France for failing to comply with EU data protection regulations. Launched in May 2015, Discord has over 150 million active users and is popular for its voice and text communication features, but has also faced criticism for facilitating extremist content and political discourse.

AppWizard

September 6, 2024

Will the CEO’s arrest mean the end of Telegram? 3 alternatives to the secure messaging app

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France as part of an investigation into serious allegations, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Durov faces charges related to fraud, drug trafficking, operating an online platform for illicit transactions, providing cryptographic services to criminals, failing to communicate necessary information to authorities, money laundering, and CSAM. He was charged on August 29 with "complicity" for not adequately addressing illegal content on Telegram and was released on conditional bail set at €5 million, prohibiting him from leaving France. French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that there are no political motivations behind the arrest, emphasizing it is part of an ongoing judicial investigation.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

No messaging app is reliable Kremlin

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian presidential administration does not use messenger applications for official correspondence due to information security concerns. He emphasized that "no messenger is reliable" for safeguarding sensitive communications. Peskov denied rumors that officials were directed to delete messages for security reasons. This statement follows the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France, who faces preliminary charges related to illegal activities on his platform. The Kremlin has not commented extensively on Durov's arrest, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that the situation underscores Telegram's security. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Durov's detention is part of an ongoing judicial investigation and not politically motivated. Telegram has denied any wrongdoing, asserting compliance with EU regulations. The incident has drawn criticism from various leaders, viewing the arrest as an infringement on free speech.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

What is Telegram and how does it work? The controversial messaging app founded by Pavel Durov

Pavel Durov, co-founder of Telegram, was arrested in France related to an investigation into crimes involving child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions. Telegram, launched in 2013, has over 950 million monthly active users and offers free messaging, voice, and video calls. It features group chats and channels that can have large memberships, with group chats accommodating up to 200,000 members and channels having unlimited subscribers. While Telegram uses encryption for chats and calls, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is only available for one-on-one Secret Chats, not for group chats or channels. Telegram has faced bans in several countries, including Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, and Spain, often due to political or security issues.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

Telegram CEO arrest: What you need to know

Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, was detained at Le Bourget airport in France amid allegations related to fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, promotion of terrorism, and cyber-bullying, with no formal charges disclosed. Telegram claims Durov has "nothing to hide" and asserts compliance with EU regulations. The Russian embassy in Paris is seeking clarification on his arrest. Support for Durov has surfaced from public figures, including Elon Musk and Vitalik Buterin. Following the news, the value of toncoin, Telegram's cryptocurrency, dropped by approximately 13%.

AppWizard

August 26, 2024

Telegram arrest: Who is Pavel Durov and what is his app?

Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has been arrested in France and is under investigation by the national cyber-crime unit and the national fraud office for alleged offenses related to activities on the Telegram platform. Durov, a multi-billionaire entrepreneur from Russia, is the founder of VKontakte and launched Telegram in 2015 after leaving Russia. He holds citizenship in the UAE and France and frequently travels throughout Europe. Telegram has 950 million monthly active users and is popular in regions like Russia and Ukraine. The platform allows large group sizes, facilitating the spread of disinformation, and has faced criticism for hosting extremist content. Following Durov's arrest, prominent figures such as Elon Musk and Edward Snowden expressed their support, with Snowden calling the arrest an infringement on human rights. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the situation is a judicial matter, not a political decision.

AppWizard

August 26, 2024

Telegram says arrested CEO Pavel Durov has ‘nothing to hide’

Pavel Durov, CEO of messaging app Telegram, was detained at an airport in France under a warrant related to allegations of insufficient moderation on the platform, focusing on its failure to address criminal activities such as drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram claims its moderation practices meet industry standards and comply with EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act. Durov's detention has been extended up to 96 hours, and he holds citizenship in both the UAE and France. The Russian government is involved, with its embassy in France working to clarify Durov's situation and ensure his rights are protected. Critics argue that Telegram's structure allows for the spread of misinformation and extremist content, and while some problematic groups have been removed, experts suggest its moderation system is less effective than those of other major platforms.

AppWizard

August 26, 2024

Founder of Telegram messaging app Pavel Durov arrested in France, sources say | CBC News

Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport near Paris due to an existing arrest warrant in France. His arrest has led to significant reactions, including a warning from Moscow and criticism from Elon Musk regarding free speech in Europe. Telegram stated it complies with EU regulations and defended Durov, asserting he has nothing to hide. The investigation into Durov relates to allegations that Telegram facilitated crimes due to insufficient moderation. Durov, with an estimated net worth of .5 billion, has aimed for Telegram to remain a neutral platform, particularly during geopolitical tensions. Following his arrest, Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry demanded access to him, citing his French citizenship. The platform faces increasing scrutiny from European nations over security and data privacy issues.

Winsage

May 18, 2024

Microsoft Bing is under the EU scrutiny again for its generative AI risks on electoral processes, months after being exempted from DMA regulation for not being ‘dominant enough’

The European Union has requested access to internal documents and data from Microsoft Bing to investigate the potential misuse of advanced AI tools that could distort information and mislead voters in important elections. Microsoft has a deadline of May 27 to provide the requested information or face substantial fines. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has expressed confidence in using technology to protect elections from AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation. There are concerns about AI's impact on electoral processes, with reports of misleading information being provided by Microsoft Copilot. The broader concerns around AI highlight the balance between technological innovation and the preservation of democratic integrity.

AppWizard

April 17, 2024

TikTok needs to prove that TikTok Lite is not dangerous to children

The European Union is scrutinizing TikTok Lite under the Digital Services Act, particularly focusing on the app's safety for children and the 'Task and Reward Lite' program's effects on minors' well-being and potential for encouraging addictive behavior.