On August 24, Pavel Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport in Paris shortly after his arrival in the French capital. The founder of Telegram faces multiple charges, including alleged trafficking of harmful substances, crimes involving minors, and other offenses. The case centers on his alleged refusal to delete messages in the messenger and to provide private user data to law enforcement agencies, which has raised concerns among authorities. This article provides official information about the unfolding situation.
In a nutshell about Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov first gained prominence as the founder of VKontakte, a social network launched on October 1, 2006. It began as a closed platform but soon opened to registrations, quickly growing into Russia’s leading social network. Durov divested his stake in VKontakte in December 2013 and redirected his efforts toward Telegram. Over the past decade, Telegram has become one of the world’s most widely used messaging apps due to its ease of use, cross‑platform availability, and free core features. While Telegram offers paid subscriptions for extra features, the essential services remain free for basic use. (Source: VG Times)
You can also note Durov’s involvement with cryptocurrencies, including the Toncoin (TON) blockchain initiative and his early support for the NOT cryptocoin distributed via the Notcoin feature in Telegram.
Durov’s public persona has included moments of controversy. In May 2012, he and VKontakte executives reportedly tossed paper airplanes made from five thousand dollar bills from a window. In 2017, when asked for a selfie by a blogger, Durov reportedly grabbed the blogger’s phone and tossed it from a fourth floor. These anecdotes accompany substantial wealth generated through VKontakte, Telegram, and related ventures. By 2011 his fortune was tallied at about 7.9 billion rubles, and by 2024 it reached roughly 15.5 billion dollars, placing him among the world’s wealthiest individuals according to Forbes (2024) (Source: VG Times).
Features of Telegram
Telegram was introduced as an ostensibly anonymous messenger that does not store user data but instead simply transmits it. In practice, the system can reveal recipient information and message details to administrators when required. The anonymity has helped Telegram attract users who engage in illicit activities and those who disseminate misinformation. The platform supports disposable numbers, encrypted channels, and the distribution of cryptocurrency.
Telegram periodically takes action against illegal sources, though such actions are not always frequent, and new channels can be created with relative ease. Durov has repeatedly stated his reluctance to cooperate with intelligence services, regardless of the jurisdiction involved.
As of March 2024, Telegram reported around 900 million users, with a stated objective of reaching one billion users by 2025.
While Telegram is widely used in Russia by a broad user base—from parents to educators—European audiences often regard it with suspicion, sometimes likening it to a form of the Darknet. This has led to heightened scrutiny by law enforcement in many countries. Durov himself has noted his preference to avoid travel to nations where the platform faces strict monitoring. France, for instance, has declared him persona non grata, a status tied to the broader debate over regulation and access in Europe.
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What happened on August 24, 2024
At 8:00 p.m. local time, or 10:00 p.m. Moscow time, Durov traveled from Azerbaijan to France on a private aircraft. He was detained by the Air Transport Gendarmerie on the Le Bourget tarmac. The accusations include complicity in the trafficking of harmful substances, crimes against children, terrorism, money laundering, and fraud. Prosecutors allege that others conducted these actions using Telegram. A potential prison term could reach twenty years. Since 2021, Durov has held French citizenship, which complicates extradition possibilities, though regional factors, including potential involvement by the United Arab Emirates where he recently resided, may influence the proceedings (Source: VG Times).
The trial had not yet begun at the time of reporting, and the jury’s decisions could diverge from prosecutors’ expectations. Lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky described the situation as a form of intimidation, predicting a possible rapid release. Nevertheless, searches were reported on Durov’s properties in France, and police sources indicated that detention would continue during the proceedings.
What Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and Others Said About Pavel’s Arrest
News of Durov’s detention quickly prompted a wave of online commentary and memes. Given the seriousness of the accusations, this article presents statements from public figures instead of humorous content.
Pavel Durov sits in a French prison today — a reminder to platform owners who resist censorship in response to governmental and intelligence requests. Darkness is fast falling on the free world. — Tucker Carlson (Source: VG Times)
Note that Durov gave an interview to Carlson in February 2024; additional context is discussed in a separate post.
I have criticized Telegram for not prioritizing encryption, but this development raises concerns for the future of software freedom and digital privacy in Europe. — Vitalik Buterin, creator of Ethereum (Source: VG Times)
Imagine if the year is 2030 and Europe enforces penalties for liking certain memes — a provocative comment attributed to Elon Musk in this coverage. — Elon Musk (Source: VG Times)
If Bill Gates were under similar scrutiny, the media would likely be in full voice. The silence surrounding Pavel Durov’s arrest has prompted questions about coverage and accountability in reporting on tech leaders. — Blogger Mario Nawfal (Source: VG Times)
Telegram’s limited moderation at times has drawn criticism, yet the current situation remains notable for its potential implications for freedom of expression and platform governance. — American journalist Kevin Collier (Source: VG Times)
The attack on freedom of expression is intensifying. The founder of Telegram was detained in France, and Western interests reportedly seek access to personal messages. — Kim Dotcom, founder of Megaupload (Source: VG Times)
The arrest highlights ongoing debates around privacy, governance, and the role of platforms in public discourse. — Pekka Kallioniemi, PhD in Interactive Technologies and Social Media (Source: VG Times)
The hashtags #freedurov and #freepavel surfaced on social media platforms in response to the events.
This situation continues to unfold, and readers are invited to reflect on its broader significance for digital communications and online safety.
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