Latest news with #Durov
Malaysia Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
State Department accuses EU of Orwellian censorship
The US government agency says the blocs online content-moderation policies violate free speech The EU's online content regulations are an affront to free speech, the US State Department has said in response to France's praise for the Digital Services Act (DSA). The State Department echoed earlier criticism from US Vice President J.D. Vance, who accused EU member states of attempting to quash dissenting voices and stigmatize popular right-wing parties such as Alternative for Germany (AfD). "In Europe, thousands are being convicted for the crime of criticizing their own governments. This Orwellian message won't fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom," the State Department wrote on X on Tuesday. "All the DSA protects is European leaders from their own people." Earlier this month, France's mission to the UN promoted the DSA on X, stating, "In Europe, one is free to speak, not free to spread illegal content." Passed in 2022, the DSA mandates that online platforms remove "illegal and harmful" content and combat "the spread of disinformation," according to the European Commission. Critics in both the US and Europe have likened the regulations to the creation of a bloc-wide "ministry of truth." Earlier this year, prosecutors in Paris launched an investigation into Elon Musk's platform X, on suspicion that it was being used to meddle in French politics and spread hateful messages. The company dismissed the probe as "politically motivated." In 2024, French authorities detained Russian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov on charges that he had allowed his Telegram messaging app to be used for criminal activities. Durov, who was later released on bail, denied any wrongdoing and accused France of waging "a crusade" against free speech. He also claimed that French intelligence officials attempted to pressure him into censoring content during Romania's 2024 presidential election. France's foreign intelligence agency, the DGSE, confirmed that it had "reminded" Durov of his responsibility to police content, but denied allegations of election interference. (
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Telegram introduces built-in crypto wallet, bringing its users into mainstream blockchain
The Open Network (TON) is a decentralised, layer-1 blockchain platform developed by the Telegram team, led by the Durov brothers, to create a highly scalable and user-friendly blockchain ecosystem integrated with the Telegram app. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Global messaging giant Telegram has launched its integrated TON Wallet to its users, beginning the roll out for its US Open Network (TON) is a decentralised, layer-1 blockchain platform developed by the Telegram team, led by the Durov brothers, to create a highly scalable and user-friendly blockchain ecosystem integrated with the Telegram the new feature, American users can send, receive and manage cryptocurrencies, including Toncoin (TON), USDT, Bitcoin, and other tokens directly inside the Telegram app, without any additional downloads or browser makes Telegram the first mass-market social app in the US to offer a self-custodial crypto of the key features include instant peer-to-peer crypto transfers within Telegram chats, token swaps, staking and built-in trading tools, zero-fee crypto purchases via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cards, and access to TON's expanding ecosystem of decentralised 'Mini Apps'.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
X accuses French prosecutors of politically motivated free speech probe
PARIS: Elon Musk's social media platform X has accused French prosecutors of launching a politically motivated criminal investigation, claiming it threatens users' free speech. The company denied all allegations and stated it would not comply with the probe. Earlier this month, Paris prosecutors escalated a preliminary investigation into X over suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction. Authorities enlisted police to examine potential wrongdoing by the company or its executives. 'Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,' the platform posted on its Global Government Affairs account. 'For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do.' In a sharp rebuke, X also alleged the probe was instigated by French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, who accused the platform of manipulating its algorithm for foreign interference purposes. X dismissed the claim as 'completely false.' The Paris prosecutors' office and Bothorel did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Musk, a former ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticized European governments for what he sees as attacks on free speech. He has also expressed support for some of the region's far-right parties. The French investigation could widen tensions between Washington and European capitals over online discourse regulations. Former Trump administration officials have previously accused platforms of censoring right-wing voices globally. X further objected to prosecutors' demands for access to its recommendation algorithm and real-time user post data, which would be analyzed by researchers David Chavalarias and Maziyar Panahi. The platform accused both of showing 'open hostility towards X,' raising concerns about the probe's impartiality. Neither researcher responded immediately to requests for comment. X also criticized the use of organized crime charges in the investigation, which could allow authorities to wiretap employees' personal devices. The case follows similar legal scrutiny in France against Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, who faces judicial supervision over alleged organized crime on his platform. Durov denies wrongdoing. Earlier this month, Musk agreed with Durov's claim that French officials were 'waging a crusade against free speech and tech progress,' responding simply, 'true.' - Reuters
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular crypto site Pump.fun raised $600 million in 12 minutes—a sign a notorious era is back
Eye-watering crypto raises are back. On Saturday, a popular website that lets anyone launch and buy memecoins, raised $600 million in 12 minutes through a public sale of its cryptocurrency. And it drummed up $720 million through private sales of the company's tokens, according to a spokesperson. In total, is sitting on a stash of about $1.3 billion. That's big money, and arguably the largest crypto fundraise of 2025. But how raised money was also extraordinary. Any small-time trader—though not those in the U.S., U.K, and countries like Iran—could get in on the action through the public sale after verifying their identity. That's a far cry from the last five years of crypto, when a harsher regulatory climate restricted the first-time sale of tokens almost exclusively to wealthy investors. token offering is a novel development in the current crypto environment. But it was also a throwback to a more free-wheeling era nearly ten years ago when everyone and their mother (quite literally) were launching their own cryptocurrencies to the public to raise millions. Those offerings, known as initial coin offerings or ICOs, gave rise to some of the most famous projects in crypto—but also a torrent of fly-by-night offerings and outright scams. Does the sale mean ICOs are back? IPOs, ICOs, and securities For traditional startups, there's a well-trodden path to the public markets. Raise money from private investors, grow your business, and, if you're lucky, file for an IPO, or initial public offering. This is usually a yearslong process, involves high-priced investment bankers, and requires scrutiny from financial regulators. Initial coin offerings, by contrast, offer a shortcut that involves minting millions of tokens and then distributing them to those who contribute capital to the effort. That's what crypto companies—both legitimate and illegitimate—did in the 2010s. In 2014, the founders of the blockchain Ethereum raised over $18 million after they let the public buy up its cryptocurrency, which has since become the second most valuable token, only below Bitcoin. Soon, others were raking in millions, even billions, for blockchain companies through token launches. Those included boondoggles like Shopin, a blockchain shopping scheme that somehow raised over $42 million in an ICO, and whose tokens are today worth basically nothing. Unsurprisingly, the Securities and Exchange Commission began cracking down, alleging that many tokens were akin to securities, or financial assets like stocks or bonds that must adhere to decades-old disclosure and registration requirements. The agency soon forced companies to return billions raised through ICOs. In addition to Shopin, it targeted the popular messaging app Telegram. After Telegram founder Pavel Durov drummed up $1.7 billion in an offering in 2018, the SEC sued Durov's company to force it to return the cash to investors. As financial regulators cracked down, companies looked for other ways to legally launch cryptocurrencies, which they claimed were more akin to commodities, or financial assets like gold or oil. They engaged in free 'airdrops' to loyal users or sold them to wealthy investors who agreed to lengthy lock-up periods before reselling them. But, now, the legal winds have shifted again. Under former President Joe Biden, the SEC regulated crypto with a heavy hand, suing even the most prominent companies like Coinbase and Binance for alleged securities violations. Under President Donald Trump, the federal government has pulled back. 'The fear of getting smacked down by law enforcement or the regulators, at least right now, isn't there in the market,' Scott Armstrong, a white-collar defense attorney at McGovern Weems and former Justice Department prosecutor, told Fortune. Déjà vu Over the past year, crypto outfits have launched portals where qualified investors, not just well-known VCs, can access early funding rounds for startups. And Cobie, a longtime, pseudonymous crypto investor, is even developing what he's dubbed an ICO platform. In July, the crypto startup Plasma said it planned to raise $50 million through Cobie's project. Add in mammoth raise, and it seems like it's déjà vu all over again. 'We absolutely believe this sets the stage for a new era of ICOs,' Alon Cohen, cofounder of said in a statement. While Cohen said he believes ICOs are one of the best ways to decentralize a crypto project, others are more cautious. 'There's the real prospect that history repeats itself, and there will be similar fraudulent and problematic offerings this time around,' Armstrong told Fortune. Scams were rampant in the ICO era. Founders would release a jargon-filled academic paper, promise revolutionary technology, raise millions, and never deliver. But crypto industry adherents say this time is different. is a real project and has generated nearly $800 million in revenue since early 2024, according to Blockworks. Plus, public and private investors in the token launch were given the same financial terms, a company spokesperson told Fortune. 'It is a much fairer situation now as compared to that moment in time,' said Omar-Shakeeb Zahir, cofounder of SecondLane, a newer investment bank that caters towards crypto and private markets. Austin Federa, cofounder of the crypto startup DoubleZero, echoed Zahir. 'I don't see today a bunch of projects that are vaporware or have no revenue or have no sort of substance behind them raising crazy numbers,' he told Fortune. In fact, Federa and his startup have creeped back into the U.S. In April, he and his team conducted a limited token offering to select buyers beyond just venture capitalists. He is cautiously optimistic that the return to more public cryptocurrency offerings is a boon for the industry. Still, he was careful not to be too bullish. 'A universal truth of crypto,' he said, 'is that everything good can turn bad, given enough forces.' This story was originally featured on
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Nepal Bans Telegram App Over Financial Frauds, Lack Of Cooperation
New Delhi: The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) on Friday ordered all telecom service providers in the country to block access to the Telegram messaging app. This decision came after months of repeated warnings and requests from the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, which flagged the app as a tool for financial fraud and money laundering. In a statement, the NTA confirmed the directive, stating that the decision was taken in response to serious concerns raised by security agencies. 'As online frauds through Telegram continue to rise in Nepal, and the app is reportedly involved in crimes such as money laundering, all telecom service providers are directed to immediately block Telegram,' NTA stated. The authority stated that fraud schemes through Telegram have recently surged. These include fake job offers, crypto scams, and other deceptive tactics. The Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other key officials held meetings to discuss the issue. After being briefed on several cases of money laundering linked to Telegram, the Prime Minister's Office sent an official letter to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, asking for immediate action. Another major reason behind the ban was Telegram's refusal to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. The Ministry tried to contact Telegram's official representative but couldn't find a local focal point. On Friday, it wrote to the NTA requesting the block. Soon after, the authority instructed all telecom and internet providers to cut off access to the app. Telegram has long been criticised for being unsafe and for not sharing user data with authorities. Countries like China have already banned the app due to similar concerns. The controversy surrounding Telegram grew further after its co-founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France in August 2024. Durov, who also co-founded the Russian social network VK, was arrested at Le Bourget Airport and later indicted on multiple charges, including complicity in the distribution of child exploitation material and drug trafficking. He was barred from leaving France and placed under judicial supervision. Durov's arrest led to major protests by free-speech activists and Telegram users. In March 2025, a judge allowed Durov to temporarily leave France, and he left the country within the same month.
