Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was released from police custody in France and taken to court for questioning on Wednesday. This follows his arrest at a Paris airport over concerns related to Telegram’s moderation policies.
The 39-year-old Russian billionaire Pavel Durov was detained under a warrant due to allegations that Telegram facilitated crimes such as fraud, drug trafficking, and the distribution of child pornography. The app, known for its lack of content moderation, has also been criticized for its use by terrorist groups and far-right extremists.
Durov faced up to 96 hours in custody, the maximum allowed under French law before charges must be filed. His arrest sparked debates about freedom of speech, particularly in Ukraine and Russia, where Telegram is widely popular and used extensively during the conflict between the two nations.
The Kremlin sought to reassure Russian users about the app’s future, despite concerns raised by Durov’s arrest. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the legal proceedings against Durov were not politically motivated.
Telegram, launched in 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, boasts over 950 million users globally, making it one of the most widely used messaging platforms. Its encrypted conversations provide users with privacy, but also limit oversight by law enforcement and Telegram itself.
Born in the Soviet Union in 1984, Pavel Durov gained fame as the co-founder of Telegram and has since lived in Dubai, where the company is headquartered, holding French citizenship. He is valued at approximately $9.15 billion and has been known for his lavish lifestyle.
Despite praise from advocates of free speech, Telegram has been criticized for providing a platform for illicit activities, including coordination by criminals and terrorists. Durov has defended Telegram’s stance on privacy, stating that it cannot simultaneously be secure against criminals and open to government oversight.