**France Investigates Chat Site Founder Amid Rape Case Fallout**

A crucial development in the Pelicot rape trial has brought Isaac Steidl, founder of the controversial chat platform Coco, into the spotlight as French authorities intensify their crackdown on online criminality.

Shortly after the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov last summer on similar charges regarding illicit activities on the platform, Steidl reached out to a French law professor specializing in cybersecurity. In his email, Steidl suggested that his case mirrored Durov's. Little did he know, Coco had already come under fire from authorities for its connections to numerous criminal activities, including the heinous case involving Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men who were convicted of raping his ex-wife while she was unconscious. The website served as a platform where many of the assailants first connected with Pelicot.

With previous investigations leading to the closure of Coco back in June, concerns grew over Steidl’s potential implications. Authorities recently escalated their actions against him, employing a new 2023 law that aims to hold online platform leaders personally responsible for the illegal activities facilitated through their services. As France navigates this unprecedented legal landscape, the outcome of the investigations may set significant precedents for online governance and accountability regarding criminal actions conducted via digital platforms.