Tech executives' concerns increased after the arrest of Telegram chief Pavel Durov

The arrest of Telegram chief Pavel Durov in Paris has increased tech executives' concerns. One question would also arise if the tech executives can be held responsible for the incidents happening on the platform. Also, is Meta's Mark Zuckerberg among other tech executives at risk of getting arrested the next time they set foot on European soil?

After Pavel Durov's arrest, Telegram expressed that it complies with EU laws and that it can be preposterous to state a platform or its owner is responsible for its misuse. According to experts, as of this day, there is no need for tech executives to be wary. Traditionally, companies, rather than individuals, have been held liable for a platform's violations.

According to the New York Times, legally, residents in the US and Europe cannot be sued over their companies' activities, especially when US laws like Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protect internet platforms from liability over harmful speech.

Durov has not been formally charged with any crime, and he was placed in the custody of French authorities. According to those same authorities, however, he faces a number of potential charges relating to activities on Telegram, including child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, facilitating criminal transactions, and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.