Telegram defends Pavel Durov, claims there’s ‘nothing to hide’
Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, has been held in France for a second day of questioning over alleged offences linked to his popular messaging app.
The detention, which began after Durov arrived at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday, August 24, has captivated the tech world and raised concerns.
Durov, who holds a French passport among other nationalities, is facing scrutiny from French authorities who have issued an arrest warrant against him.
The charges under investigation include fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promotion of terrorism, with accusations centred on his alleged failure to curb criminal use of Telegram.
According to a source close to the investigation, the initial detention period for questioning can last up to 96 hours. At the end of this period, the judge will decide whether to release Durov or press charges and extend his custody.
The arrest has sparked a wave of international reaction. Russia has criticized France for “refusing to cooperate” in the case, while prominent tech figures have rallied to Durov’s defence.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the X social media platform (formerly Twitter), has publicly supported Durov, using the hashtag #FreePavel and commenting in French, “Liberte Liberte! Liberte?”
Telegram, which Durov founded in 2013 after leaving Russia due to conflicts over his previous social network VKontakte, has defended him, stating, “Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.”
The company emphasized its compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and rejected claims that it or its founder are responsible for any misuse of the platform.
The arrest has raised questions about Durov’s decision to travel to France while reportedly being aware of the arrest warrant. Some speculate that he might have believed he was immune to consequences, although this remains unconfirmed.
In an interview with right-wing talk show host Tucker Carlson in April 2024, Durov projected Telegram would reach one billion users next year and reiterated his commitment to “freedom” through his platforms.
“My mission in life was to allow other people to also become free… and using the platforms that we created my hope was that they could express their freedoms. This is the mission of Telegram.” Durov said
Telegram: The social media and instant messaging service
Launched by Pavel Durov in 2013, Telegram has become a prominent name in digital communication. Based in Dubai, the app is celebrated for its robust encryption and privacy features, making it a popular choice for users seeking a secure messaging alternative.
Telegram offers private messaging, group chats, and channels, with strong end-to-end encryption ensuring message confidentiality. It supports multimedia sharing, and file storage, and features a versatile bot platform for various tasks.
Despite its success, Telegram has encountered legal and controversy-related challenges but continues to attract millions with its commitment to privacy and neutrality.
