A recent indictment
(PDF)
https://share.counter.social/s/1c708e
of an Alaska man stands out due to the sophisticated use of multiple encrypted communication tools, privacy-focused apps, and dark web technology.
"I've never seen anyone who, when arrested, had three Samsung Galaxy phones filled with 'tens of thousands of videos and images' depicting CSAM, all of it hidden behind a secrecy-focused, password-protected app called 'Calculator Photo Vault,'" writes Ars Technica's Nate Anderson
Nor have I seen anyone arrested for CSAM having used all of the following: [Potato Chat, Enigma, nandbox, Telegram, TOR, Mega NZ, and web-based generative AI tools/chatbots].
According to the government, Seth Herrera not only used all of these tools to store and download CSAM, but he also created his own
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/jber-soldier-indicted-child-pornography-charges
This is the type of people Telegram CEO is helping
https://counter.social/@ecksmc/113046691199779415
By not using the tools available telegram is helping these people get away with it - that's not free speech related and it sure ain't freedom of expression either like some are trying to argue
Here's the thing telegram were asked by French authorities to help out after a man was arrested with fraud, sharing indecent images of underage children, drug related stuff and more during that investigation telegram was seen as the msg app of choice by that person - Authorities made a legit request CEO & telegram ignored it - that's not a free speech issue its about accountability
Snowdon, Musk & Rumble CEO, who has fled Europe 🙄 now scared hell be next cause he's a fuckwit thinking this is about Authorities just trying to gain access to ALL users data, and rest of people screaming "free speech" are in fact sating "we don't care this is about a paedophile and actually helping authorities secure a conviction"
Telegram has created a kind of jurisdictional obstacle course for law enforcement that (it says) none of them have successfully navigated so far. From the FAQ again
If a platform owner who boasts about having a user base in the hundreds of millions is not even trying to stop indecent images being shared on that platform by using methods available then refuses, ignores, legit requests from authorities when asked to help then shame on them
And they deserve all they get
Again this is not "breaking encryption" issue this is not "freedom of expression" or "free speech" issue its a moral issue and accountability issue
Now all that said
There is one niggling thing about this whole story
French authorities have not named the person in question who they arrested and wanted telegram to give data on.
Some might say "is this unnamed person real" and this is valid to ask - given the way some governments have been using "for the children" labels to try gain public opinion on "breaking encryption" last few years could this be French authorities approach to get access to telegram
¯\(°_o)/¯
What a twist that would be right
I highly doubt it - but never say never - anything is a possibility
Especially on this crazy sphere we live on
Snowden, said on X that Mr Durov's arrest was "an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association".
He added: "I am surprised and deeply saddened that [French President Emmanuel] Macron has descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications. It lowers not only France, but the world."