Pavel Durov, the founder of the encrypted messaging service Telegram, was detained in France over the weekend at Paris–Le Bourget Airport.
His arrest stems from an ongoing investigation into allegations of criminal activities occurring on the platform, including fraud, sexual exploitation, and terrorism promotion.
Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur, was taken into custody shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan, with French authorities reportedly acting on an existing arrest warrant.
Telegram, which Durov co-founded with his brother in 2013, has grown into a platform with around 900 million active users. It is widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
However, the app has faced criticism for allegedly hosting illegal content and extremist groups under the guise of privacy.
The French investigation, led by the office tasked with preventing violence against minors, accuses Durov of allowing criminal activities to persist on Telegram.
Despite these accusations, Telegram maintains that it abides by EU laws and continues to improve its moderation practices. The situation has sparked a diplomatic row, with Russia criticizing France for what it sees as an attack on freedom of speech.
Russia and the West Clash Over Durov’s Arrest
Russia has demanded access to Durov, questioning France’s motives and highlighting what it sees as a double standard in the West’s approach to freedom of speech.
The case has also drawn reactions from prominent figures like Elon Musk and Edward Snowden, who have condemned the arrest as an infringement on basic human rights.
Source abc.net