Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French authorities at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday evening after arriving from Azerbaijan. The 39-year-old billionaire, who holds dual citizenship in France and Russia, was taken into custody under an arrest warrant issued by French prosecutors.
The investigation focuses on allegations that Telegram has failed to adequately moderate content related to money laundering, drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and terrorism promotion. French officials accuse Durov of not taking sufficient steps to curb criminal activities on the platform.
Telegram has positioned itself as a privacy-focused alternative to U.S. social media platforms. With over 900 million active users worldwide, the app has gained popularity for its strong encryption and lack of content moderation. However, this has also led to accusations that Telegram enables the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and illegal content.
Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition groups on his previous platform VK, currently resides in Dubai where Telegram is headquartered. The Russian government has expressed outrage over Durov’s arrest, with some officials suggesting double standards regarding free speech in the West.
In response, Telegram stated that its moderation practices align with industry standards and that it is “absurd” to hold a platform responsible for the abuse of its services. The company emphasized its compliance with EU regulations and expressed confidence in a swift resolution of the matter.
Durov’s arrest has sparked a debate over the balance between privacy, free speech, and content moderation on online platforms. As the investigation continues, the outcome could have significant implications for Telegram and the broader tech industry.