Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in Paris for Alleged Crimes Linked to Messaging App
Desk Report, August 25, 2024: In a significant development, Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, on Saturday evening. The arrest comes amid a preliminary investigation into a series of alleged criminal offences connected to the use of the Telegram platform.
The 39-year-old Russian-born entrepreneur, who currently resides in Dubai, had just arrived from Baku, Azerbaijan, when he was detained by police. Durov’s arrest was executed under an international warrant issued by France’s Office for the Prevention of Violence against Minors (OFMIN). The warrant is part of a broader investigation that includes accusations of fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism.
Authorities claim Durov has failed to implement adequate measures to prevent the criminal exploitation of Telegram, which has grown into one of the world’s leading social media platforms, particularly influential in regions like Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet republics. Telegram, known for its robust privacy features, is widely used by both government officials and ordinary citizens, making it a powerful tool for communication and information dissemination.
One investigator, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed surprise that Durov would travel to Paris despite being aware of the warrant. “Enough of Telegram’s impunity,” the investigator remarked, highlighting the frustrations of law enforcement agencies who have long been critical of the platform’s lack of oversight.
Telegram has faced increasing scrutiny over its role in the spread of unfiltered and sometimes misleading content, particularly since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. While it has become a crucial communication tool for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government, it has also been utilized by the Kremlin to spread its narrative. Despite the mounting pressure from various governments, Durov has maintained that Telegram should remain a “neutral platform” and not become entangled in geopolitical conflicts.
With an estimated fortune of $15.5 billion according to Forbes, Durov has long been a controversial figure in the tech industry. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups on his earlier social media platform, VK. Since then, he has positioned Telegram as a bastion of free speech and privacy, a stance that has drawn both praise and criticism.
Durov is expected to appear in court soon, where the charges against him will be formally presented. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications not only for Durov but also for the future operation and governance of Telegram, which currently boasts around 900 million active users and is aiming to reach one billion users within the next year.
The case continues to unfold, with global attention focused on how France and other international authorities will address the complex issues surrounding the regulation of powerful tech platforms like Telegram.
