Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested on Saturday evening at Bourget airport near Paris, according to reports from TF1 TV and BFM TV, citing unnamed sources.
The arrest is reportedly linked to concerns over Telegram’s moderation practices, with French authorities investigating whether insufficient oversight has allowed criminal activities to proliferate on the platform.
Telegram has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters, and both the French Interior Ministry and police have declined to provide additional details. Russia, which had previously attempted to ban Telegram, stated it is working to “clarify” the situation concerning Durov.
About Pavel Durov and Telegram:
- Background: Russian-born Durov, 39, is the founder and owner of Telegram, a messaging app that competes with social media giants like Facebook’s WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat. The platform aims to reach over one billion active monthly users within the next year.
- Influence: Telegram is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet republics, becoming a critical source of information on Russia’s war in Ukraine. Analysts describe the app as “a virtual battlefield” for the conflict.
- Personal History: Durov’s fortune is estimated at $15.5 billion by Forbes. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he subsequently sold.
- Citizenship and Relocation: Durov became a French citizen in August 2021 and moved Telegram to Dubai in 2017. He has also received United Arab Emirates citizenship and is reported to be a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation.
- Previous Issues with Russia: Russia began blocking Telegram in 2018 after the app refused to grant state security services access to encrypted messages. Despite the blockade, Telegram remained widely available, and the move led to mass protests and criticism from NGOs.
- Recent Scrutiny: Telegram’s growing popularity has drawn scrutiny from several European countries, including France, over security and data breach concerns. In May, EU tech regulators noted that Telegram was approaching a usage threshold that could subject it to stricter requirements under new EU online content legislation.
- Durov’s Remarks: In April, Durov expressed his desire for freedom over complying with external demands, stating, “I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone,” reflecting his search for a home for his company after leaving Russia, with temporary stays in Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.
