The Daily How Telegram Became the Underworld’s Favorite App
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Sep 23, 2024 Adam Satariano, a technology correspondent for The New York Times, dives into the intriguing world of Telegram, a messaging app with nearly a billion users that has become a hotspot for illicit activities. He discusses the recent arrest of founder Pavel Durov, highlighting his journey from a Soviet upbringing to a tech pioneer. The conversation covers Telegram's duality, where it champions free speech but also attracts extremists and the criminal underworld. Satariano reveals the challenges of balancing user privacy with responsibility and regulatory scrutiny.
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Durov's Early Days
- Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, was known as "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg" after creating VK, a popular Russian social media platform.
- He gained notoriety for eccentric acts like throwing cash out of windows and hitting a police officer with his car.
Durov vs. Russian Authorities
- Durov resisted Russian authorities' requests for user data, responding with a picture of a dog in a hoodie.
- Tensions escalated when authorities wanted information on Ukrainian activists.
Birth of Telegram
- Durov chose to sell VK rather than cooperate with Russian authorities.
- This experience became an inflection point, inspiring him to create a platform free from government control.