Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was reportedly arrested at the Bourget airport outside Paris. According to TF1 TV and BFM TV, the arrest was made on Saturday evening. The investigation is said to be focused on the lack of moderators on the Telegram platform, with authorities suggesting that criminal activities were able to thrive due to this oversight. Despite the reports, Telegram has yet to respond to requests for comments, and both the French Interior Ministry and police have remained silent on the matter.
Telegram, the messaging platform founded by Russian-born Durov, has quickly gained popularity as a free-to-use alternative to other social media giants such as Facebook’s WhatsApp. Durov has set ambitious goals for the platform, aiming to surpass one billion active monthly users within a year. Telegram has played a significant role in providing information during critical events such as the conflict in Ukraine, becoming a primary source for both officials in Moscow and Kyiv. Some analysts even refer to the app as a “virtual battlefield” for the war.
Pavel Durov’s fortune is estimated at $15.5 billion, according to Forbes. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands related to his VKontakte social media platform, which he later sold. Durov received French citizenship in 2021 and moved both himself and Telegram to Dubai in 2017. Additionally, reports suggest that he holds citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis. Despite his wealth and international status, Durov has maintained a stance of independence, as evidenced by his comments to U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson about his desire for freedom over submission to authority.
Russia, a country that previously attempted to ban Telegram, has taken steps to address Durov’s situation. The government’s actions against the messaging app date back to 2018 when it was blocked for failing to grant access to encrypted messages to state security services. While the ban had minimal impact on Telegram’s availability, it led to protests in Moscow and drew criticism from various organizations. As Telegram’s user base continues to grow, concerns about security and data breaches have arisen in Europe, particularly in countries such as France. The European Union’s tech regulators have been monitoring the platform closely, with the possibility of implementing stricter regulations under EU online content laws.
Pavel Durov’s arrest and the subsequent investigation into Telegram highlight the complexities of running a popular messaging platform in today’s digital age. Despite the challenges and controversies faced by Durov and his company, the impact of Telegram on information sharing and communication cannot be overlooked. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will affect both Durov’s personal freedom and the future of Telegram as a key player in the messaging app landscape.