By arresting Russia-born billionaire tech founder Pavel Durov, French police have dived headlong into a fractious debate on free speech online that could have global ramifications. Durov, founder of hugely popular messaging service Telegram, is being accused of failing to stop various kinds of criminality on his platform. Telegram was swift to condemn the move, calling it "absurd" to hold him personally responsible for abuse of the platform. The company has been joined in a chorus of outrage led by industry titan and self-styled free speech absolutist Elon Musk. But others have pointed out that Durov, one of the world's most influential tech bosses, may well have brought scrutiny on to himself. As the online freedom debate rages, FRANCE 24 is joined by Dr Melanie Garson, Associate Professor in International Conflict Resolution & International Security in the Department of Political Science at University of College London (UCL).
