Billionaire Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov Arrested – Controversy Over Moderation and Free Speech

Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was apprehended by French authorities at Le Bourget Airport, north of Paris, shortly after his private jet landed. Officials disclosed that the 39-year-old billionaire was detained in connection with an ongoing investigation related to Telegram’s moderation policies. The inquiry reportedly focuses on Durov’s alleged failure to prevent the app from being used for criminal activities.

Authorities have accused Telegram of inadequate cooperation with law enforcement agencies, particularly in cases involving drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. The platform has previously refuted claims that its moderation efforts are insufficient.

Born in Russia, Durov now resides in Dubai and holds dual citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and France. Despite its international popularity, Telegram remains especially favored in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. The app faced a temporary ban in Russia in 2018 after Durov refused to hand over user data, but the restriction was lifted in 2021.

Durov launched Telegram in 2013, a year before leaving Russia after rejecting government orders to shut down opposition groups on his earlier social media venture, VKontakte, which he eventually sold.

The Russian Embassy in France announced on Facebook that it is working to understand the circumstances of Durov’s detention and ensure his rights are protected. The embassy also criticized French authorities for their lack of cooperation.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, questioned whether Western human rights organizations would remain silent on Durov’s arrest, pointing out that these groups had previously condemned Russia for attempting to hinder Telegram’s operations in 2018. Several Russian officials have also spoken out against the arrest, arguing that it reveals a double standard in the West’s approach to free speech and democracy.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden, currently residing in Russia, commented on X (formerly Twitter) that Durov’s arrest was a violation of fundamental human rights. X owner Elon Musk also weighed in on the matter, using the hashtag #freepavel and suggesting that the arrest reflects growing authoritarianism in Europe.

Critics of Telegram argue that the app’s large group capacity—up to 200,000 members—facilitates the spread of misinformation and extremist content. In the UK, the platform has been scrutinized for hosting far-right channels linked to recent violent events in English cities. While Telegram has removed some problematic groups, experts argue that its content moderation remains weaker than that of other major social media platforms.

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