What to know about Telegram, the messaging app whose CEO was arrested over the weekend

The arrest of a messaging service CEO in France has sparked a debate about freedom of speech and responsibility for illicit content. The Russian-born CEO was detained on charges related to the lack of moderation on the platform. The app has come under scrutiny for its use by terrorist groups and extremists. The CEO’s arrest is part of a broad investigation into criminal activities. Telegram, the encrypted messaging service, has over 950 million users and is popular in countries where freedom of speech is restricted. The app’s privacy features have made it a preferred communication tool for criminals and extremists. The company has said it abides by EU law and has nothing to hide.