The recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, in France has brought the messaging platform and its mysterious founder into the public eye. Durov, originally from Russia, was detained on Saturday at Bourget Airport in Paris due to a warrant connected to Telegram’s insufficient moderation practices.
French prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated on Monday that Durov faces accusations of aiding criminals such as fraudsters, money launderers, drug traffickers, and those involved in the dissemination of child exploitation material through his platform.
Furthermore, Durov is charged with withholding vital information pertinent to the ongoing investigation. Recently, the app has also been criticized for its use by far-right extremists and terrorist organizations.
Durov is charged with withholding vital information pertinent to the ongoing investigation
Durov’s detention has ignited debates around free speech and the responsibilities of platforms in curbing illicit online activity. Maria Butina, a Russian politician previously convicted of spying in the U.S. before her deportation in 2019, labeled Durov a “political prisoner” during a Sunday statement, according to Reuters.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified in a statement on X that Durov’s arrest is not politically motivated but is part of a legal inquiry. The Paris prosecutor’s office revealed that Durov is involved in a broader criminal investigation related to Telegram, which encompasses 12 charges dating back to July 8. Despite this, Telegram asserts that it complies with EU laws and that Durov has nothing to hide.
What Exactly is Telegram?
Telegram, launched in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, is an encrypted messaging app. It has amassed over 950 million users as of last month, making it a global giant in communication services. The app is utilized for daily messaging, sharing media, and distributing official government messages in various countries.
Its encryption provides privacy, limiting law enforcement and Telegram’s ability to monitor user content, which makes it particularly useful in regions where free speech is restricted, including Russia, Iran, and India. Additionally, in Ukraine, Telegram has emerged as an essential tool for sharing news and alerts during the ongoing conflict.
However, Telegram’s encrypted nature has also attracted criminals and extremist groups, including white supremacists and ISIS. The platform allows groups of up to 200,000 members, much larger than other encrypted apps like WhatsApp, making it a fertile ground for the spread of misinformation.
Despite this, Telegram has recently sought to curb illegal activities on its platform by enforcing terms that prohibit calls to violence. A spokesperson for Telegram, Remi Vaughn, explained that moderators use AI tools and user reports to remove harmful content. Telegram has stated that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its founder responsible for the misuse of the app by its users.
Who is Pavel Durov?
Born in the Soviet Union in 1984, Pavel Durov is the billionaire CEO of Telegram. His tech career began in 2006 when he launched the social media platform Vkontakte (VK) at the age of 21.
Due to his refusal to hand over user data to the Russian government during the protests against Ukraine’s pro-Russian president in 2013, Durov resigned as VK’s CEO and left Russia, eventually founding Telegram.
Today, Durov resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered, and he holds French citizenship. Known for his world travels and online presence, Durov has also claimed to have fathered over 100 children through sperm donations over the past 15 years.
