Pavel Durov … ARESTED

Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old CEO of Telegram, has been arrested at an airport near Paris. French news outlets report he was taken into custody at Le Bourget Airport after arriving from Azerbaijan.

The arrest is part of a larger investigation into illegal activities on Telegram. The messaging app, used by nearly a billion people globally, has faced criticism for its approach to moderation. Prosecutors have highlighted issues like fraud, drug trafficking, and unregistered encryption services.

This development marks a significant challenge for Telegram, which has built its reputation on secure and private communications. Durov’s detention could have major implications for the platform’s future.

Details:

Durov and his brother Nikolai launched the messaging and social media app in 2013. With nearly 1 billion users, it has become immensely popular but also controversial.

Supporters view Telegram as a bastion of free speech, while critics argue it’s a haven for criminals, extremists, and conspiracy theorists.

Telegram defended its moderation practices and CEO in an X post today, stating they abide by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and that moderation is within industry standards and improving.

The company added that Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron released a statement on X saying, “I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov.”