Pavel Durov has become the subject of an arrest in France while looking into cybercrime. After landing on his private plane from Azerbaijan, Durov, a French national, was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport, nearly in Paris. Moscow is furious by his arrest, which sparked conversations about free speech.
Pavel Durov,with $11.5 billion net worth, was included in the Forbes Billionaires List in 2023. His ownership of Telegram is a major factor in his wealth.With a net worth of $15.5 billion as of August 25, 2024, Durov ranked 120th among the world’s richest persons by Forbes.Forbes named him the richest foreigner in the United Arab Emirates in 2022
The investigation focuses on alleged criminal activity on the Telegram platform, such as the distribution of child sexual abuse content, fraud, and a failure to cooperate with law authorities.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Durov’s arrest, stating that it was part of a judicial inquiry related to Telegram’s activities. He emphasized that the arrest was a legal decision, not a political one, and that the judiciary must enforce the law independently. The arrest was linked to Telegram’s failure to moderate its platform and prevent crimes, particularly those involving children.
Jean-Michel Bernigaud, a senior official at Ofmin, a French agency aimed at preventing violence against children, mentioned that Telegram’s lack of moderation was central to the case. He highlighted that the platform, which has nearly a billion users, has not cooperated adequately with authorities to fight against crimes against children.
Specialized cybercrime detectives are investigating various allegations, including the possession and distribution of child abuse images, drug offenses, and fraud. It is unclear which specific offenses Durov is being questioned about. On Sunday, a magistrate extended Durov’s detention, which could last up to 96 hours.
In response to the arrest, Telegram released a statement defending its actions. The company said that it complies with EU laws and that its moderation policies are in line with industry standards. Telegram also argued that blaming the platform or its owner for illegal activities conducted by users is unreasonable.
Pavel Durov, who is frequently referred to as a libertarian, has a complicated background. After defying Kremlin orders to close down opposition groups on the social network he built, VK, he fled Russia in 2014.
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Following a conflict with owners connected to the Kremlin, Durov sold VK and concentrated on creating Telegram, which he and his brother introduced in 2013. Durov, who currently resides in Dubai, was granted French citizenship in 2021 by a unique process that eliminate the standard residency requirements.
Although Telegram has been a useful tool for activists in places like Iran, Belarus, and Hong Kong, it has also been utilized by conspiracy theorists and extremists. Even while Telegram is widely used, it has come under fire for allegedly supporting illegal activities including terrorism and child abuse. Telegram therefore denied any claim of such.
Durov’s arrest has reignited debates over the responsibility of social media companies to regulate content and cooperate with law enforcement. Some see the arrest as an attack on free speech, while others argue that platforms must prioritize safety and legal compliance.
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Russia has also reacted strongly to Durov’s arrest, with officials saying it exposes Western hypocrisy over free speech. Opponents claim that Durov’s imprisonment demonstrates the absence of genuine freedom of speech in Europe and characterize him as a political prisoner who is being singled out by Western powers.
The situation continues to unfold, with many watching to see how it will impact the global debate on digital freedom and platform accountability.
