Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Allegations of Illegal Activities on Platform

Pavel Durov is a Russian-born billionaire best known for founding the messaging app Telegram. Here’s a detailed look at his background, business ventures, dealings with Russia, and recent activities:

Background and Business Ventures

• Early Life and Education: Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1984, Durov graduated from Saint Petersburg State University in 2006¹.
• VKontakte (VK): In 2006, he co-founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network, often compared to Facebook. VK became immensely popular, but Durov sold his stake in 2014 after conflicts with Russian authorities¹.
• Telegram: In 2013, Durov launched Telegram, a messaging app known for its strong emphasis on privacy and encryption. Telegram has grown to nearly 1 billion monthly active users globally¹². The app is particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states³.

Dealings with Russia

• Conflict with Authorities: Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to hand over user data from VKontakte. This refusal led to significant tension with Russian authorities¹.
• Telegram’s Ban and Reversal: In 2018, Russia attempted to ban Telegram due to its refusal to provide encryption keys to the government. The ban was lifted in 2021, but the app remains under scrutiny³⁴.
• Current Relations: Despite the tensions, Telegram continues to operate in Russia and has even cooperated to some extent by removing prohibited content at the request of Russian authorities⁴.

Recent Activities

• Arrest in France: Recently, Durov was arrested at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. The arrest is linked to allegations that Telegram has been used for illegal activities, including drug trafficking, child exploitation, and money laundering³⁴². French authorities are investigating Telegram’s content moderation practices and Durov’s cooperation with law enforcement³⁴.
• Public Reactions: The arrest has sparked significant reactions, with some Russian officials calling it a political move and others criticizing the lack of moderation on Telegram⁵⁶.

Durov’s journey from creating Russia’s largest social network to founding a globally influential messaging app has been marked by his staunch stance on privacy and frequent clashes with authorities. His recent arrest highlights ongoing concerns about the balance between privacy and security in digital communications.