The Franco-Russian billionaire is wanted on charges of allowing drug dealers and sex criminals to operate on the app, according to French media.
Durov, who has been the subject of an arrest warrant in France, was arrested after he flew into Le Bourget airport outside Paris on his private jet on Saturday night. According to French media, the investigation focuses on the lack of moderators on Telegram, which police allege allows criminal activity, such as drug dealing and paedophilia networking, to take place unhindered on the messaging app.
His arrest has sparked a wave of concern in the tech community and among internet freedom advocates. Telegram, with nearly a billion users, is known for its focus on privacy and encryption, features that have made it popular but also controversial.
The impact of Telegram
Telegram has become one of the leading social media platforms, ranking high alongside giants like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and WeChat. Its influence is particularly noticeable in Russia, Ukraine, and the republics of the former Soviet Union.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has become the main source of unfiltered content about the war and the politics surrounding the conflict, but it has also been a source of disinformation.
Some analysts describe it as a “virtual battlefield” used intensively by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his officials, as well as by the Russian government.
However, it is an application that still does not meet the requirements of the European Union, which has led to it being temporarily suspended in some member countries, such as Spain .
Durov’s past and his search for freedom
Russian-born Pavel Durov founded Telegram with his brother in 2013. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on his VKontakte social media platform, which he eventually sold.
In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson in April, Pavel Durov explained his departure from Russia and search for a home for his company, which included stays in Berlin, London, Singapore and San Francisco. “I prefer to be free than to take orders from someone,” Durov said, stressing his commitment to freedom of expression and privacy.
Implications for Internet Freedom
Durov’s arrest raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the need to moderate online content . Telegram has faced criticism for its relatively lax approach to moderation , which has allowed the platform to be used for illegal activities but has also provided a space for free expression in authoritarian regimes.
This case could have far-reaching implications for social media and messaging platforms around the world, potentially influencing future content moderation policies and the way these platforms operate in different legal jurisdictions.