Billionaire founder of Telegram app arrested in France

Sunday, August 25, 2024 - Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been arrested in France, according to local news reports.

The 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was reportedly detained upon his private jet's arrival at Le Bourget airport, situated on the outskirts of Paris.

French news outlets BFMTV and TF1 have cited unnamed sources indicating that Durov’s arrest follows a search warrant related to an investigation into the app's moderation practices and potential criminal activities conducted through Telegram. However, neither French police, the Interior Ministry, nor Telegram have yet commented on these allegations.

Telegram, known for its robust end-to-end encryption and privacy features, is one of the world's most downloaded apps. It boasts nearly one billion users and has become especially influential in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet republics. The platform is a vital tool for pro-democracy movements and has been a significant source of information regarding Russia's war in Ukraine.

Despite its popularity, Telegram has faced scrutiny for its use in various criminal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution of illegal content. The app has also been utilized by far-right activists, which recently led to unrest in the UK.

Durov’s arrest comes as a surprise to many, as Telegram has been praised for maintaining a neutral stance amid geopolitical tensions. Durov, who became a French citizen in August 2021, has been known for his commitment to keeping the app free from political interference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that it is taking steps to confirm the details surrounding Durov’s arrest. The founder left Russia in 2014 after his previous social media company, VKontakte (VK), was taken over following his refusal to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups.

Mr Durov was naturalised as French in August 2021 and is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.

Writing on X, US commentator Tucker Carlson believes Mr Durov has been detained in France because of his refusal to "censor the truth". In an interview with the American TV personality in April, Mr Durov said he was determined to keep Telegram "neutral" and "free from geopolitics".