Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire and founder of Telegram, has been transferred from police custody to a French court for questioning, which could lead to an indictment. Durov’s transfer follows his recent arrest at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Reports indicate that Durov was taken from an anti-fraud office near Paris to the court on Wednesday afternoon in a police vehicle. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that he would undergo “initial questioning and possible indictment” in a French court.
Durov’s arrest on Saturday was based on a warrant related to Telegram’s alleged failure to moderate content. He is being investigated for serious offences, including claims that Telegram has been used by fraudsters, drug traffickers, and individuals distributing child pornography.
Under French law, Durov was detained for up to 96 hours, the maximum period allowed before charges must be filed. Telegram, co-founded by Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013, now has over 950 million users worldwide, according to Durov’s recent statement. The platform is one of the most widely used messaging apps globally.
Telegram’s use of encrypted conversations restricts oversight by both law enforcement agencies and Telegram itself, making it difficult to monitor user content. While free speech advocates have praised Telegram for enabling private communication, especially in countries with oppressive regimes, critics argue that the platform has also become a hotspot for illegal activities. It has been used for coordination by terrorists, including those responsible for the November 2015 Paris attacks.
In a 2016 interview with CNN, Durov stated, “You cannot make it safe against criminals and open for governments. It’s either secure or not secure,” highlighting the ongoing debate over privacy versus security.
