This story has been updated with a statement from Telegram. French prosecutors have placed Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, under formal investigation using a stringent new cybercrime law. What Happened: The LOPMI law,

By Gabriel Stargardter PARIS (Reuters) -When French prosecutors took aim at Telegram boss Pavel Durov, they had a trump card to wield - a tough new law with no international equivalent that criminalises tech titans whose platforms allow illegal products or activities.

Accustomed to mixing with the nation’s elite, the tech billionaire says he was surprised to be targeted by its legal system

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has hit out at French authorities, judging his recent arrest over an alleged lack of moderation on the messaging app as "misguided" and "surprising". In his first public comments since he was detained last month,

CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov has spoken for the first time since his arrest last month. The Russian-born CEO was arrested in Paris on charges of publishing extremist and illegal content.

Telegram has updated its FAQ page to include avenues and options for users to report "illegal content" – a feature not available before its CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France.