Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested at Paris’s Bourget Airport on Saturday, igniting a global debate on the responsibility of tech companies for the content on their platforms.
The 39-year-old CEO, whose messaging app is known for its high-level encryption and limited moderation, was detained on a warrant citing Telegram’s alleged role in facilitating illegal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and the spread of harmful content.
Durov’s detention
The arrest of the Russian-born billionaire Durov, who was en route to Paris from Azerbaijan aboard his private jet, was confirmed by the Russian Embassy in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that Durov’s detention was linked to an “ongoing judicial investigation” and was “in no way a political decision.” Macron said that in a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms must be exercised within a legal framework designed to protect citizens and respect fundamental rights.
Telegram’s response
The tech world has reacted swiftly to Durov’s detention. Telegram issued a statement defending its CEO, calling the arrest “absurd” and asserting that neither the platform nor its owner should be held responsible for abuses of the platform. “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” the company said in a statement posted on X.
Arrest becomes Free Speech flashpoint
Durov’s arrest raises critical questions about the extent to which tech CEOs should be held accountable for the content on their platforms.
The arrest sparked concerns about free expression and censorship, highlighting growing government oversight of online content. With increased regulatory scrutiny worldwide, particularly in the EU, governments are pressuring companies to tackle disinformation, extremism, child safety, and illicit material online.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Durov’s case will likely become a pivotal reference point in the broader discourse surrounding the responsibilities of tech giants and the future of encrypted messaging platforms.
Telegram, which boasts around 900 million users, has become a vital communication tool in various countries, especially those where freedom of speech is curtailed. The app is popular in Ukraine, where it is used for war-related updates and air raid warnings. However, the app’s strong stance against censorship has also made it a haven for disinformation, conspiracy theories, and other harmful content.
Telegram works as a standard messaging app, similar to WhatsApp, but also hosts channels and groups in which large numbers of people can broadcast ideas and communicate.
Key Points
- Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was detained in France on August 24.
- Allegations include money laundering, drug trafficking, and promoting harmful content.
- Telegram, with 900 million users, is critical for communication in many countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and India. The platform is known for its firm stance against censorship.
- Durov’s net worth was estimated by Bloomberg at more than $9 billion.
Reaction
Prominent figures, including Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have publicly criticized the arrest. Musk, who has been vocal about his pro-free-speech stance, posted “#FreePavel” on X, arguing that the need to protect free speech is more urgent than ever. “Liberté Liberté! Liberté?” he wrote in one post. “Dangerous times,” he wrote in another post.
Kennedy Jr. echoed these sentiments, highlighting the dangers of stifling platforms that prioritize freedom of expression. “France just arrested Pavel Durov, founder & CEO of the encrypted, uncensored Telegram platform. The need to protect free speech has never been more urgent,” he wrote on X.
Leonid Volkov, formerly a top adviser to Aleksei A. Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in prison in February, wrote that although the platform had become a useful tool for criminals, Durov should be released. “Durov is not an ‘accomplice’ to the crimes committed by Telegram users,” he said
The Man behind Telegram
Mr Durov, 39, is a Russian-born tech entrepreneur. Before founding Telegram in 2013, the man nicknamed the “Russian Zuckerberg” created VKontakte (VK), Russia’s largest social network. His refusal to cooperate with the Kremlin led to a dispute with the network’s management, eventually driving him to leave Russia in 2014.
Durov, whose net worth is estimated at more than $9 billion, now holds French citizenship and resides in Dubai. He has consistently championed freedom—whether it be in his business ventures or personal life.
In an interview earlier this year, Durov stated, “I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone,” reflecting his commitment to maintaining Telegram as an uncensored platform. His arrest marks a critical moment in the ongoing global discussion about the balance between freedom of speech and the need for content moderation on digital platforms.
