Is this the downfall of the tech barons? Russian messaging billionaire Pavel Durov has been arrested. Some hope this will change the way big tech works forever.
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Billionaire with 100 children charged
Is this the downfall of the tech barons? Russian messaging billionaire Pavel Durov has been arrested. Some hope this will change the way big tech works forever.
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Last weekend, Russian tech giant Pavel Durov found himself under arrestStopped by (usually the police) and not allowed to leave..
For years tech companies around the world have been able to act largely how they want to. But now French police have acted.
Durov, who set up TelegramToday: an encrypted instant messaging app. In the past: a message sent via electric wires and delivered as a printed piece of paper. As every word was expensive, making the message as short as possible became an art. A famous joke telegram sent from Venice read, "STREETS FULL OF WATER PLEASE ADVISE"., has been placed under formal investigation. If the process leads to a trialA trial is where two people or two groups of people argue in a court. and he is found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Telegram is the world's fourth biggest messaging platform. Durov says it has 950 million monthly active users.
Telegram allows for groups of up to 200,000 people. This has helped make it popular with campaigners, but also criminals.
Telegram has been accused of not doing enough to stop false claims, criminals and hateful groups.
Durov refuses to act because he is anti-censorshipPreventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient". . He says people should be allowed to say whatever they want to on his app.
Durov's arrest is the first time the owner of a messaging service has been found personally responsibleOfcom, the UK communications regulator, will be able to issue fines of up to £18m or 10% of a company's global turnover. They will also have the power to block access to sites in the UK. for the way their platform is used.
Somes think the arrest attacks freedom of speechThe right to say, write and communicate thoughts and ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal..
Is this the downfall of the tech barons?
Yes! Durov's arrest is the first move. Tech bosses may have a lot of money, but the other side has the law, morals and public support. The law always wins in the end.
No! Telegram is a special case. It has been used by criminals in different parts of the world. Other tech leaders will take care to make sure they are not arrested for the same reasons.
FOR YOUR FINAL SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
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Keywords
Arrest - Stopped by (usually the police) and not allowed to leave.
Telegram - Today: an encrypted instant messaging app. In the past: a message sent via electric wires and delivered as a printed piece of paper. As every word was expensive, making the message as short as possible became an art. A famous joke telegram sent from Venice read, "STREETS FULL OF WATER PLEASE ADVISE".
Trial - A trial is where two people or two groups of people argue in a court.
Censorship - Preventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient".
Responsible - Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, will be able to issue fines of up to £18m or 10% of a company's global turnover. They will also have the power to block access to sites in the UK.
Freedom of speech - The right to say, write and communicate thoughts and ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal.
Billionaire with 100 children charged
Chill wind: Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France last week for aiding and abetting crimes including child abuse, drug trafficking and money laundering. Glossary
Arrest - Stopped by (usually the police) and not allowed to leave.
Telegram - Today: an encrypted instant messaging app. In the past: a message sent via electric wires and delivered as a printed piece of paper. As every word was expensive, making the message as short as possible became an art. A famous joke telegram sent from Venice read, "STREETS FULL OF WATER PLEASE ADVISE".
Trial - A trial is where two people or two groups of people argue in a court.
Censorship - Preventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient".
Responsible - Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, will be able to issue fines of up to £18m or 10% of a company’s global turnover. They will also have the power to block access to sites in the UK.
Freedom of speech - The right to say, write and communicate thoughts and ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal.