Pavel Durov, the Franco-Russian billionaire and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, has been arrested by French police at Le Bourget airport near Paris, sources close to the case told AFP. The 39-year-old tech mogul was detained Saturday evening after arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan.
Durov is expected to appear in court Sunday following an arrest warrant issued by France's Office for the Prevention of Violence Against Minors (OFMIN). He faces a preliminary investigation into serious allegations, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism. The charges center on his alleged failure to curb the criminal activities conducted through Telegram, his encrypted messaging platform.
Arrest Shocks Investigators
Investigators expressed surprise that Durov, knowing he was a wanted man, traveled to Paris. "Enough of Telegram's impunity," one investigator stated, underscoring the platform's alleged role in facilitating illegal activities. The app, known for its strong stance on user privacy, has come under fire for allowing content related to neo-Nazism, terrorism, conspiracy theories, and child exploitation to spread unchecked.
Telegram's Privacy Stance
Telegram, based in Dubai, has positioned itself as a haven for privacy advocates, distinguishing itself from US-owned platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. The company has committed to never disclosing user data, a stance that has won praise from privacy advocates but criticism from law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Durov, who launched Telegram after facing pressure from the Russian government while running his previous social network VK, has spoken out about the platform’s commitment to privacy and independence. In a rare interview with right-wing talk show host Tucker Carlson in April, Durov emphasized that Telegram's success is rooted in its refusal to compromise on these values. At the time, he boasted that Telegram had over 900 million active users.
Shielded From Moderation Laws
By basing itself in the UAE, Telegram has largely avoided the moderation laws imposed on platforms in Western countries. This has allowed it to remain a stronghold for free expression, but it has also drawn criticism for facilitating the rapid spread of misinformation, conspiratorial content, and illegal activities. Unlike competitor WhatsApp, which limited message forwarding after being linked to violent incidents in India, Telegram allows groups of up to 200,000 members, exacerbating concerns over the platform’s role in spreading harmful content.
As Durov’s legal battles intensify, the spotlight will continue to focus on the balance between privacy, security, and the responsibility of tech platforms in preventing criminal activities online.
