Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire founder and CEO of the messaging application Telegram, was detained on Saturday night at Bourget airport, on the outskirts of Paris.
Durov, who was traveling on his private jet, was the target of a warrant in France as part of a preliminary police investigation. According to French media, the investigation is focused on the lack of moderators on Telegram, a situation that, according to the police, allows criminal activity to proceed unhindered on the messaging application.
Durov’s detention sparked a wave of concern in the tech community and among defenders of internet freedom. Telegram, with about a billion users, is known for its emphasis on privacy and encryption, features that have made it popular but also controversial.
The Impact of Telegram
Telegram has become one of the leading social media platforms, alongside giants like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat. Its influence is particularly notable in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet republics.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has become the main source of unfiltered content about the war and the politics surrounding the conflict. It is true that not everything that glitters is gold and it has also been a source of misinformation.
Some analysts describe it as a “virtual battlefield”, heavily used by both Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy and his officials as well as the Russian government.
However, it is an application that still does not meet the requirements of the European Union, which has led it to be temporarily suspended in some member countries, such as Spain.
Durov’s Past and His Search for Freedom
Pavel Durov, born in Russia, founded Telegram with his brother in 2013. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government demands to shut down opposition communities on his social media platform VKontakte, which he eventually sold.
In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson in April, Pavel Durov explained his departure from Russia and the search for a home for his company, which included stays in Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco. “I prefer to be free than to take orders from anyone”, said Durov, emphasizing his commitment to freedom of expression and privacy.
Implications for Internet Freedom
Durov’s detention raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the need to moderate online content. Telegram has been criticized for its relatively lax moderation approach, which has allowed the platform to be used for illegal activities, but also provided a space for freedom of expression in authoritarian regimes.
This case could have far-reaching implications for social media and messaging platforms worldwide, potentially influencing future content moderation policies and how these platforms operate in different legal jurisdictions. Even Elon Musk, owner of x.com, tweeted ironically in the wake of the detention.
According to French media, Durov may be charged on Sunday and the tech world is closely watching.
The resolution of this case could have a significant impact on the future of Telegram and, potentially, on the broader landscape of digital communications and internet freedom.