Paris, France — Pavel Durov, the CEO and co-founder of messaging app Telegram, was detained in Paris on Saturday as part of an ongoing French investigation into financial and cyber crimes. French officials confirmed on Monday that Durov remains in custody, although he has not been formally charged with any crime.
Durov, who holds both French and United Arab Emirates citizenship but is originally from Russia, was reportedly arrested in connection with a broader investigation. While details remain limited, French prosecutors have indicated that Durov’s detention is related to a probe into a “person unnamed” who may have used Telegram to commit a range of serious offenses, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material, money laundering, and drug trafficking. French police have suggested that child sex crimes are a particular focus of the investigation.
The arrest has prompted speculation about its timing, given the geopolitical context. French President Emmanuel Macron denied that the arrest was politically motivated, despite France’s critical stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the enforcement of sanctions against Russia. Macron’s government has insisted that the investigation is purely legal.
Unless charges are filed, Durov can only be held until Wednesday. His relationship to the “person unnamed” in the investigation remains unclear.
Telegram’s Content Moderation Under Scrutiny
Telegram, founded by Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013, has gained global popularity for its strong privacy features, including end-to-end encryption in its “secret chats.” These features have made the platform a vital tool for political dissidents and journalists operating under repressive regimes. However, they have also turned Telegram into a haven for extremists and criminals.
Over the years, Telegram has faced criticism for its lax content moderation policies, which have allowed illegal activities to flourish on the platform. Most notably, the app was used to coordinate ISIS attacks in Paris and Berlin. Although Telegram took steps to curb ISIS activity after these incidents, the platform’s moderation efforts have remained a point of contention.
According to experts, Telegram’s approach to content moderation has been less stringent compared to other social media platforms. The platform’s reliance on user privacy and encryption makes it difficult to monitor and remove harmful content, leading to continued pressure from governments to be more cooperative with law enforcement.
The ongoing French investigation suggests that Telegram may not be doing enough to prevent its platform from being used for criminal purposes. This development has reignited debates about the balance between free speech and the need for effective content moderation in the digital age.
As the situation unfolds, Durov’s detention is likely to have significant implications for Telegram and its future operations, particularly in jurisdictions with strict regulations on online content and intermediary liability.