Founder of Telegram Arrested in Paris
PAVEL DUROV – The founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested in Paris on serious allegations that his messaging platform was used for illegal activities, including the distribution of prohibited substances and inappropriate material involving minors. Durov, who was born in Russia and holds citizenship in several countries, including France, was detained at Paris-Le Bourget Airport after arriving from Azerbaijan.
Telegram is a messaging app that provides a variety of communication features, including one-on-one conversations, group chats, and broadcast channels. Known for its expansive capabilities, the app allows group chats and channels with up to 200,000 participants, far surpassing the limits of competing platforms like WhatsApp.
However, Telegram’s end-to-end encryption, which ensures privacy, is not enabled by default for all communications. Instead, it is available only through the platform’s “secret chat” feature. This has led to concerns about Telegram’s vulnerability to misuse, including the potential spread of misinformation and illegal content.
The arrest is part of a broader judicial inquiry into 12 alleged criminal activities, including complicity in distributing inappropriate material involving minors, illegal substances, and failing to cooperate with investigators. Although Durov has not yet been formally charged, he can be held for questioning until Wednesday evening.
In response to the arrest, Telegram has stated that it complies with EU laws and is continually enhancing its content moderation practices. The platform has received support from notable figures, such as Elon Musk, who has publicly advocated for Durov and criticized the charges.
Despite these defenses, Telegram has faced ongoing scrutiny for its content moderation practices. Critics argue that the platform’s approach is less rigorous compared to other services. Telegram has previously encountered legal issues, including fines and temporary suspensions in Germany and Brazil, due to non-compliance with local regulations and failure to manage illegal content effectively.