Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was reportedly detained by French authorities at Le Bourget airport near Paris. The incident is believed to be connected to the operations of his encrypted messaging app, Telegram.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained by French Authorities
Pavel Durov, the billionaire CEO and founder of the popular encrypted messaging app Telegram, was reportedly detained by French authorities on Saturday evening at Le Bourget airport, just outside of Paris. Local media outlet TF1 TV reported that the 39-year-old was held shortly after his private jet landed, having traveled to France from Azerbaijan.
Unclear Circumstances Surrounding Detention
The reasons behind Durov’s detention remain unclear, though it is believed to be related to the operations of Telegram, a platform known for its robust end-to-end encryption. While initial reports describe the situation as a possible “arrest,” there has been no official confirmation from French authorities, and it remains uncertain whether Durov was formally arrested or merely detained for questioning. Both French and Russian authorities have yet to issue definitive statements regarding the incident.
Telegram’s Global Influence and Controversies
Founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother, Telegram has grown into one of the most widely used social media platforms globally, boasting around 900 million active users. Its strong focus on privacy and security, featuring end-to-end encryption, has made it popular among users seeking confidential communication.
However, Telegram has also faced criticism for being a platform where scams and fraudulent activities thrive. A joint survey by Finance Magnates and FXStreet revealed that Telegram is a leading platform for financial fraud, with many victims reporting significant losses.
After fleeing Russia in 2014 due to his refusal to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups on Telegram, Durov relocated the company’s operations to Dubai. Today, the Russian-born entrepreneur holds dual citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and France, and his personal wealth is estimated at $15.5 billion.
Russia’s Response to the Situation
Following Durov’s detention, the Russian embassy in France quickly issued a statement indicating that it is taking “immediate steps” to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to Russian news agency TASS, the embassy emphasized that these steps were taken proactively and not in response to any request from Durov’s team.
As of now, neither Telegram nor Durov’s legal representatives have released any official statements regarding the detention. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are awaited as more information becomes available.
