Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov was arrested on Saturday evening at France’s Bourget airport as he exited his private jet, according to reports from French television network TF1 and Reuters.
It was reported that Durov was detained based on a warrant issued in connection with a preliminary police investigation. The arrest has led to widespread discussion on social media, including Telegram itself. However, most discussions are based on only a few French media reports.
Authorities Link Durov to Illegal Activities
Reports indicate that French authorities are concerned about Telegram’s content moderation practices. They believe that the app’s lack of oversight and cooperation with law enforcement has allowed illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and the distribution of child pornography, to go unchecked.
A statement from the French government elaborated that Durov’s arrest is tied to an investigation into a “person unnamed” on charges of being complicit in distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), drugs, and hacking tools, along with refusing to cooperate with law enforcement and other crimes.
Despite these concerns, Telegram has stated that its CEO and founder has “nothing to hide.” Durov is expected to appear before a judge soon, with possible formal charges as early as Sunday, according to sources cited by TF1 as reported by The Verge.
Pavel Durov, a billionaire with a net worth of $15.5 billion according to Forbes, was born in Russia. He left the country in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to release data about Ukrainian protest leaders from his previous social network, Vkontakte. Durov has since moved to Dubai, where Telegram’s headquarters are located. It is reported that his jet was flying in from Azerbaijan when he was arrested.
Telegram’s Popularity Continues to Grow
Telegram has grown in popularity, particularly in regions where information censorship is common, such as Russia. The platform, known for its strong privacy features, is used by millions to share information without interference. Last month, Durov mentioned that Telegram had 950 million active users, with the goal of reaching 1 billion users by the end of this year.
Despite its massive user base, Telegram operates with a small team, reportedly about 30 engineers, highlighting Durov’s crucial role in the company.
Update, August 27: The article has been updated to include new information about the reasons behind Pavel Durov’s arrest as stated by French prosecutors.
Feature image courtesy of Manuel Blondeau – Corbis via Getty Images