Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, was arrested at Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening.
At one point, Durov sought to issue a native crypto TON (Gram), but following an enforcement action by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), he ended Telegram’s official involvement in the blockchain project, which has been supported by others. TON has cratered by over 16% following the news of Durvov’s arrest. Telegram has remained a popular communication vehicle for the crypto industry.
The arrest, reported by TF1 TV and BFM TV, was said to be tied to a French arrest warrant issued as part of a preliminary investigation into the app’s moderation policies.
According to reports, French authorities are investigating Telegram for allegedly allowing criminal activities to proliferate due to insufficient moderation.
This arrest puts a spotlight on the challenges facing tech companies in balancing user privacy with regulatory demands for oversight and control.
Telegram, which boasts nearly one billion users, has become a major player in global communications, standing alongside platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp.
Its significant user base in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics underscores its influence.
The platform’s encrypted nature has made it a critical tool for unfiltered communication during significant events such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
It has served as a source of real-time information and, at times, controversial content from the war, making it a digital arena for both sides of the conflict.
Durov, who has a history of resisting governmental pressure, had previously left Russia in 2014 after refusing to shut down opposition groups on another platform he founded, VKontakte.
His stance on maintaining Telegram as a neutral platform has consistently put him at odds with various governments, including his native Russia, which attempted to block the app in 2018 after Durov refused to allow state security services access to user messages.
The French authorities, including the Interior Ministry and police, have not yet commented on the situation.
Meanwhile, the Russian foreign ministry has reported that its embassy in Paris is looking into the matter and has called for international advocacy for Durov’s release.
Analysts said this incident highlights the ongoing global debate over tech companies’ responsibilities to regulate content while protecting user privacy.
