Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, Allegedly Detained at Paris Airport

Pavel Durov, the cofounder and CEO of the messaging and social media platform Telegram, was reportedly detained at an airport in Paris, as per French media reports published Saturday.

Various sources, including BFM and TF1, have reported that Durov, who holds both French and United Arab Emirates citizenship, was detained as part of a preliminary police investigation into potential criminal activities arising from inadequate moderation on Telegram and a lack of cooperation with law enforcement.

One source told TF1 Info, “Telegram is a breeding ground for criminal content. The platform is under scrutiny for illicit sports broadcasts, yet many accounts are utilized by organized crime. In addition to terrorism, a significant number of dangerous criminals utilize Telegram for sharing child pornography content.”

There has been no official confirmation from France regarding the detention or any actions taken against Telegram. Reports suggest that Durov may face possible charges on Sunday, according to French media.

The Epoch Times reached out to Telegram for comment on Sunday. The French Interior Ministry has yet to respond to a request for comment.

Related Stories

Based in Dubai, Telegram was established by Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after declining to adhere to demands to shut down opposition communities on his VK social media platform, which he later sold.

The encrypted app, with nearly one billion users, holds substantial influence in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union republics. It is considered a major social media platform alongside Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat.

Since the commencement of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the platform has emerged as a key messaging service for disseminating updates on the conflict, including from both Ukrainian and Russian government and military sources.

Telegram’s website emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding user privacy and upholding human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.

In an interview earlier this year with commentator Tucker Carlson, Durov expressed his aspiration for Telegram to remain a “neutral platform” and steer clear of geopolitical involvement.

Durov articulated, “I believe it’s imperative for a neutral platform like ours to maintain its position if we want to ensure the protection of our users’ privacy and freedom of speech,” underscoring that Telegram users value the platform’s independence.

“They also value the privacy, the freedom, [there are] multiple reasons why an individual might choose Telegram,” he remarked at the time.

The detention of the 39-year-old tech tycoon elicited a cautionary message and criticism from X’s owner, Elon Musk, who asserted that free speech in Europe was under threat.

Musk, the billionaire proprietor of X, posted on his platform post reports of Durov’s apprehension: “It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme.”

Footage outside the French embassy in Moscow depicted a solitary protester holding a placard that read, “Freedom for Pavel Durov.”

“I’ve just safely departed from Europe,” mentioned Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski. “France has issued threats against Rumble, and now they have overstepped by detaining Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov.”

“Rumble vehemently opposes this conduct and will exhaust all legal avenues to uphold freedom of expression, a fundamental human right. We are actively contesting the situation in French courts, and we await Pavel Durov’s prompt release.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry, as per state-run media, disclosed that they have communicated with France’s Foreign Ministry concerning the arrest.

Reuters contributed to this report.