Explainer: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov detained in France; Here’s why
Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, has been arrested.
Reuters news agency quoted TF1 TV and BFM TV. The tech guru was arrested at Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening.
According to TF1’s website, Durov was traveling in his private plane and was the subject of a French arrest order as part of an initial police probe.
Why is the tech giant nabbed by the French authorities
Reports said Durov was arrested on a lack of moderators on Telegram, and that police considered that this situation allowed criminal activity to go on undeterred on the messaging app, according to Reuters.
In 2013, Pavel Durov and his brother launched Telegram, but Durov’s refusal to censor opposition groups on VKontakte led to his exit from Russia in 2014.
“I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone,” Durov told U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson in April about his exit from Russia and search for a home for his company which included stints in Berlin, London, Singapore and San Francisco.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Telegram has emerged as a primary platform for unfiltered, uncensored content from both sides of the conflict, including graphic and sometimes misleading information.
The app has transformed into a ‘virtual war zone,’ with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, his officials, and Russian authorities leveraging it extensively.
Telegram’s ability to circumvent official oversight has made it a vital outlet for Russians to access independent news about the war, particularly after the Kremlin tightened restrictions on independent media following the invasion.”
How rich is Paul Durov?
According to Forbes, Pavel Durov’s net worth is estimated at $15.5 billion. Despite facing pressure from various governments, Durov emphasized that Telegram should maintain its neutrality and avoid taking sides in geopolitical conflicts, remaining a neutral platform rather than becoming a participant in global politics.
What are concerned stakeholders saying about his arrest?
Until now, neither French police, the Interior Ministry, nor Telegram have commented on the reason for the arrest.
Sky News reported that the Russian embassy in France has called for consular access to Durov and demanded his rights be ensured.
Elon Musk, a billionaire owner of X, posted after reports of Durov’s detention: “It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme.”
How popular is Telegram
Telegram is one of the most downloaded apps in the world. The communication application is projected to achieve close to one billion users within a year.
The app offers end-to-end encryption, effectively assuring privacy and data protection.
