French authorities have used a ‘secret cyber law’ in the case against Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, Politico writes.
The publication notes that the two charges against Durov are related to the provision of cryptographic services that provide privacy and do not require declaration.
These two charges came as a surprise to other services that use the encrypted chat feature, including iMessage and WhatsApp, the newspaper said.
France cites a 2004 law that requires organisations providing cryptographic services to notify authorities and provide ‘technical specifications of the cryptographic tool’.
According to industry experts cited by the newspaper, this law has never been used to make the accusations.
According to Proton CEO Andy Yen, it is ‘economic suicide’ that changes the perception of founders and investors.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the situation with the Durov case in France should be a sobering example for those who believe in stories about freedom of speech in the West.