Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French police on Saturday night at Le Bourget Airport, north of Paris. Durov’s detention follows a warrant issued for offenses related to Telegram’s moderation practices, with allegations suggesting that the app has failed to adequately address criminal activities.

The 39-year-old billionaire was reportedly apprehended after his private jet landed at the airport. French authorities have charged Durov with not taking sufficient measures to combat illicit uses of the app, including drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram has consistently denied claims of inadequate moderation.

Durov, who was born in Russia and now resides in Dubai, holds dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France. Telegram, which he founded in 2013, is notably popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. The app was banned in Russia in 2018 due to Durov’s refusal to comply with demands for user data, although the ban was lifted in 2021.

Following his arrest, the Russian Embassy in France issued a statement on Facebook expressing concern over the lack of cooperation from French authorities. The embassy stated it is working to “clarify the reasons for the detention” and ensure Durov’s rights are protected.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova took to Telegram to question whether Western human rights organizations would remain silent about Durov’s arrest, given their previous criticism of Russia’s actions against Telegram. Several Russian officials have condemned the arrest, accusing the West of double standards on free speech and democracy.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden, who has been living in Russia since 2013, criticized the arrest on social media, describing it as an attack on basic human rights. Similarly, Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), used the platform to advocate for Durov, posting under the hashtag #freepavel and commenting on the situation.

Telegram, which allows groups of up to 200,000 members, has faced criticism for facilitating the spread of misinformation and extremist content. In the UK, the app has been scrutinized for hosting far-right channels linked to recent violent disturbances in English cities. Despite removing some groups, experts argue that Telegram’s moderation system is less robust compared to other major social media platforms.

The arrest of Pavel Durov has sparked significant international debate about digital freedoms and the responsibilities of tech companies in moderating content.

Pakistan has been grappling with painfully slow internet speeds for weeks, sparking a heated debate over the cause. Activists accuse the government of constructing a China-style internet firewall to tighten control over the online space, while officials attribute the problem to the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which they claim are straining the network.

The issue has become a focal point of contention following widespread unrest triggered by former Prime Minister Imran Khan last year. During the ensuing turmoil, the government imposed blocks on social media platforms and throttled internet speeds, as the battle for public support extended from the streets to the digital realm. Since February, the micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter) has been inaccessible in Pakistan due to purported “national security” concerns. Imran Khan’s supporters are significant users of X, and Khan himself is the most followed Pakistani on the platform, with nearly 21 million followers.

On Sunday, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima refuted claims that the government is responsible for the recent slowdown. Fatima stated that her team has been “working tirelessly” with internet service providers and telecommunications companies to address the issue. She attributed the slow speeds to a high volume of VPN usage, which she claimed was putting excessive strain on the network. According to Fatima, allegations that the government is behind the slow connections are “completely false.” She did, however, confirm that the government is upgrading its systems to enhance cybersecurity, emphasizing that such measures are necessary due to ongoing cyber threats.

Activists have criticized Fatima’s response as a “political dodge.” Shahzad Ahmad, director of the digital rights organization Bytes for All, told the BBC that his organization has “ample tech evidence” of a state-imposed firewall. Ahmad suggested that the firewall’s purpose is to monitor online traffic and suppress political expression, arguing that it affects not only civil liberties but also economic livelihoods. Farieha Aziz, co-founder of the non-profit Bolo Bhi, highlighted the detrimental impact on Pakistan’s business sector. The Pakistan Software Houses Association warned that the slowdown could jeopardize the country’s business prospects, estimating potential losses of up to $300 million and describing the situation as a “direct, tangible, and aggressive assault” on the IT industry’s viability.

In response to the crisis, activists have petitioned the Islamabad High Court, seeking to have access to the internet recognized as a fundamental right under Pakistan’s constitution.

The UK military is set to launch its inaugural dedicated Earth-imaging satellite, named Tyche, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space capabilities. Scheduled to lift off on a SpaceX Falcon rocket from California at 11:20 local time (19:20 BST), Tyche will orbit Earth at approximately 500 kilometers altitude and is expected to operate for at least five years.

The 160kg satellite, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) in Guildford, is designed to provide high-resolution imagery of battlefield positions and vehicles. With a resolution of up to 90 centimeters, Tyche will capture detailed optical images, although it will not reach the 10-centimeter resolution of some classified US satellites.

Tyche’s development is a product of the UK’s Space Command Paper (2021) and the Space Defence Strategy (2022), which outlines a £970 million investment over ten years in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTARI) program. This initiative aims to establish a sovereign constellation of military and national security satellites equipped with advanced technologies, including radar sensors capable of imaging in all weather conditions and at night.

Maj Gen Paul Tedman, commander of UK Space Command, described the launch as the beginning of a broader space defense strategy: “The space defense strategy lays out how we’re going to become a meaningful space power by 2030. We anticipate many more satellite launches in the coming months and years. Tyche is absolutely the start of that journey.”

Tyche’s propulsion system, which uses water to generate thrust through superheated steam, is a notable feature. The satellite carries 10 liters of water, providing enough for five to seven years of operation. The contract for Tyche is valued at £22 million.

Despite these advancements, the UK has faced criticism for its space capabilities. A 2022 Commons Defence Select Committee report labeled the UK as “at best, a third-rank space power,” and raised concerns about the ISTARI program’s future prospects, citing the Ministry of Defence’s history of delays and budget overruns.

The recent change in government and a comprehensive review of defense needs may impact the future of the ISTARI program. Julia Balm, a research associate at the Freeman Air and Space Institute, King’s College London, noted the importance of maintaining commitment to long-term space projects: “Any negative developments or cutbacks in the ISTARI program could reflect poorly on the UK’s ability to execute large-scale projects and its commitment to becoming a space power.”

As Tyche prepares for its historic launch, it represents a significant step toward enhancing the UK’s sovereign space capabilities and addressing the nation’s growing need for advanced satellite imaging technology.