Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of instant messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday, August 24, when he exited his private jet at Le Bourget airport, outside Paris.
This news was first announced by French news outlet TF1Info.
The reason behind the arrest
According to the officials, Durov’s arrest was made under a warrant related to offences connected to the Telegram platform.
Telegram is under investigation for not implementing default end-to-end encryption and failing to enforce moderation rules to combat criminal activity.
Additionally, the company has refused to cooperate with law enforcement in related investigations. Investigators have access to content in Telegram groups and chats, revealing criminal engagement that Telegram has reportedly ignored despite warnings from authorities.
As per French media, the warrant for Durov’s arrest was issued by France at the request of the special unit at the country’s interior ministry in charge of investigating crimes against minors, says the report.
Telegram’s reply
In a reply to Durov’s arrest, Telegram posted a tweet saying, “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.
Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abusing that platform.
Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”
Had to flee Russia
Based in Dubai, Telegram was founded in 2014 by Durov after he refused to comply with demands to shut down opposition communities on his VK social media platform, which he sold.
Durov, estimated by Forbes to have a fortune of $15.5 billion, stated in April that some governments had tried to pressure him. He highlighted that the app should remain a neutral platform and not become involved in geopolitics.
Durov came up with the idea for an encrypted messaging app while facing pressure in Russia. His younger brother, Nikolai, designed the encryption, reports Reuter.
“I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone,” Durov says in April about his exit from Russia and search for a home for his company, which included stints in Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.
Russia’s foreign ministry said it had sent a note to Paris demanding access to Durov, although it said that he had French citizenship, adds Reuter.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Durov had misjudged by fleeing Russia and thinking that he would never have to cooperate with the security services abroad.
“He miscalculated,” Medvedev said. “For all our common enemies now, he is Russian – and therefore unpredictable and dangerous.”
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