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.
