French President Macron has always been a loyal user of Telegram

According to a report by Politico on August 27, PANews reported that French cabinet members, presidential advisors and even President Macron himself widely use the encrypted communication app Telegram. This is despite the fact that Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France on charges of child pornography, drug trafficking and money laundering. Macron has been using this application since his first presidential campaign. Nearly a decade later, it is still widely used by cabinet members as well as politicians at all levels and from various parties - especially within pro-Macron circles.

For confidentiality reasons, French security departments have tried to limit the use of Telegram among official circles. However, Macron's own party La République En Marche! continues to use Telegram channels to send public communications via private channels to journalists; this channel includes 150 media professionals - a practice also adopted by the French Ministry of Interior and National Assembly. Macron also has a public channel where he shares statements and latest news with over 30,000 subscribers – just like any other president in France.