Telegram has risen to the second spot on the US App Store social media charts after its founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France on charges of involvement in illegal activities. The app is currently experiencing a significant surge in downloads.
The arrest of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov is starting to impact the app’s popularity and rankings, causing controversy but also playing into Telegram’s hands by increasing the number of downloads. The messenger has risen to the second spot on the US App Store social media charts, with its global downloads on iOS increasing by 4%, TechCrunch reported.
Telegram didn’t immediately jump to the second spot on the US App Store social media charts until 3 a.m. ET on Monday, according to data from app analytics firm Appfigures, indicating that the app’s rise in popularity is just beginning. In France, where Durov was arrested, the app has risen to the top spot in the Social Media category in the App Store and is third among all apps.
Arrest Details and Controversy
Recall that Pavel Durov was arrested on Saturday on charges of allegedly allowing illegal activity to flourish on the social app due to insufficient moderation of messages, especially in areas related to drug trafficking, money laundering and the distribution of child abuse material (CSAM). Despite concerns about inappropriate content on the app, the messenger is currently seeing a strong increase in downloads, notes NIXSOLUTIONS.
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on the situation, saying that the arrest was part of an “ongoing judicial investigation” and that a decision on the case would be made by judges. “This is in no way a political decision,” he said. On his X (Twitter) account, Macron wrote: “I have seen false information about France after the arrest of Pavel Durov. However, France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will continue to be so. In a state governed by the rule of law…”.
As this situation continues to develop, we’ll keep you updated on any new information regarding Durov’s arrest and its impact on Telegram’s popularity and user base. The app’s sudden rise in rankings across various countries suggests that this controversy may have unintended consequences for both Telegram and the authorities involved in the investigation.