Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained at Paris Airport, Reports Say

French police have arrested Pavel Durov, the CEO and founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, in connection with alleged offenses linked to the platform. The arrest took place at Le Bourget airport, located north of Paris, on Saturday evening, according to reports from French media.

Durov, a 39-year-old French-Russian billionaire, was detained shortly after arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan. Sources close to the investigation confirmed the details to the AFP news agency, although they spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Television news outlets in France, including TF1 TV and BFM TV, also covered the arrest, citing unnamed sources. It is anticipated that Durov will face judicial proceedings on Sunday.

As of now, Telegram has not issued a public statement regarding the arrest, and both the French Interior Ministry and the police have refrained from commenting on the matter.

The arrest stems from an arrest warrant issued by France’s OFMIN, which is responsible for preventing violence against minors. The warrant is part of a preliminary investigation involving serious allegations, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and the promotion of terrorism. According to a source familiar with the case, Durov is suspected of negligence in addressing the misuse of his platform for illegal activities.

One investigator expressed frustration over the situation, noting, “Enough of Telegram’s impunity,” and pointing out their surprise that Durov traveled to Paris despite being aware he was a wanted man.

Pavel Durov launched Telegram in 2013 and has a notable past marked by controversy. He left Russia in 2014 after being ousted from VKontakte, a popular social networking site he co-founded. His departure was compelled by intense pressure from the Kremlin, which demanded user data that Durov refused to surrender.

In a 2016 interview with “60 Minutes,” Durov expressed his horror upon realizing that Telegram was being utilized by terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State for communication purposes. He affirmed his commitment to user privacy, noting, “I’m personally for the privacy side,” when asked about the balance between privacy and security concerns.

Durov emphasized that creating exceptions for law enforcement could jeopardize the private communications of millions of users, asserting that encryption must remain secure without compromise.

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between privacy rights and the responsibilities of technology platform owners in preventing their services from being exploited for criminal activities. As the legal proceedings unfold, Durov’s stance on privacy and security will likely be a focal point of public interest.

While the specifics of the alleged offenses remain under investigation, the situation underscores the legal challenges that tech company leadership can face when their platforms are misused. The outcome of Durov’s court appearance may have implications not only for him personally but also for the broader tech community regarding user protection and compliance with law enforcement.

As the case develops, attention will remain on how Telegram and its leadership navigate the complex landscape of privacy rights, security, and the potential for misuse of digital communication tools. The broader implications of this situation could resonate throughout the technology sector, raising important discussions about the responsibilities of platform creators in maintaining the integrity of their services.