Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram and a French citizen, is facing legal charges in France over claims that the messaging app has been used to facilitate criminal activities.
The charges include allegations that Telegram has failed to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse imagery and has been used for various illicit activities, including drug trafficking and calls for violence.
Durov avoided jail time by posting a €5 million bail but has been ordered to stay in France, report to the police twice a week, and cooperate with the investigation, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
The 39-year-old billionaire, originally from Russia, was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday. His arrest comes amid growing concerns about Telegram’s role in enabling criminal behavior, sparking debates about the balance between free speech and the responsibility of tech platforms to monitor content.
French authorities have been conducting an extensive investigation into the messaging app’s moderation practices, which has drawn attention to Telegram’s global user base of around one billion people.
Law enforcement agencies around the world have closely monitored Telegram for its alleged use by terrorist organizations, drug cartels, arms dealers, and extremist groups.
In response to the charges, Telegram released a statement affirming its commitment to European Union laws and insisting that its moderation practices are “within industry standards and continually improving.”
The company defended Durov, stating that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its CEO accountable for the misuse of the service by others.
Durov, who is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates and resides in Dubai, is known for his libertarian views and minimal moderation approach.
Despite his stance, Durov has emphasized that Telegram does not tolerate child abuse material or public incitements to violence, which he described as “red lines” in a rare interview with the Financial Times in March.
About Durov
Though Durov’s public profile is relatively low compared to other tech moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, his arrest has thrust him into the spotlight.
He has built a reputation for promoting a minimalist, ascetic lifestyle on social media and has openly discussed his personal life, including a recent claim of fathering more than 100 children through sperm donation.
Durov’s legal troubles in France are compounded by his past conflicts with the Russian government. After refusing to comply with Kremlin demands to shut down opposition groups on VK, a social network he founded at 22, Durov left Russia in 2014.
He later sold VK and focused on growing Telegram, which he co-founded with his brother Nikolai in 2013. Despite Russia’s attempt to ban Telegram in 2018, the ban was lifted after Durov reportedly agreed to cooperate with Russian authorities on combating terrorism.
Although Durov has portrayed himself as a Russian exile, leaked data has suggested that he visited Russia over 50 times between 2015 and 2021, fueling speculation about his ties to the Kremlin. Russian officials have labeled his arrest in France as politically motivated, a claim denied by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The circumstances surrounding Durov’s arrest have raised questions, including whether he was aware of the arrest warrant issued by French authorities. According to Le Monde, Durov had met with Macron on several occasions before obtaining French citizenship in 2021 through a special procedure for individuals who have made significant contributions to France.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal also indicate that Macron had previously suggested Durov relocate Telegram’s headquarters to Paris, an offer Durov reportedly declined.
