Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire and co-founder and CEO of Telegram, was arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening. According to French media reports, Durov was detained shortly after his private jet landed. The investigation centers on allegations regarding insufficient moderation on the Telegram messaging app.
Durov is facing over 12 criminal charges, according to French prosecutors. The arrest warrant alleges that Durov permitted Telegram to be used for illegal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution of child pornography. Additionally, the warrant accuses Telegram of failing to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was part of an ongoing judicial investigation and emphasized that it was “in no way a political decision.” He added, “It is up to the judges to rule on the matter.” Additionally, a spokesperson for the French police confirmed that Durov is under investigation by the national cybercrime unit and the national fraud office.
Juli Vavilova, a 24-year-old self-proclaimed gamer and cryptocurrency coach from Dubai, was detained alongside Durov upon their arrival at an airport near Paris. While some sources suggest she is Durov’s girlfriend, others describe her as a close associate. Her social media activity, featuring images of private jet travel, has fueled speculation that it may have contributed to Durov’s arrest.
Telegram has stated that its CEO, Pavel Durov, has “nothing to hide” and frequently travels across Europe. The company emphasized that it is “absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the misuse of that platform.” Telegram expressed confidence in a swift resolution of the matter and affirmed that its moderation practices adhere to industry standards.
India is investigating the misuse of the Telegram app in criminal activities, including extortion and gambling, and may consider banning the app based on the findings, according to Moneycontrol. In June 2024, the UGC-NET exam paper was leaked and sold on Telegram for ₹5,000-₹10,000. Additionally, in October 2023, the IT Ministry issued a notice to Telegram to remove child sexual abuse material.
The Indian government is investigating Telegram for its alleged involvement in criminal activities, including extortion and gambling, according to a report by Moneycontrol on Monday. A government official indicated that the messaging app could face a potential ban based on the investigation’s findings. This development coincides with the recent arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov by French authorities over concerns related to the app’s moderation policies.
Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka commented on X on Tuesday regarding an old interview with Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, in which Durov mentioned that the messaging app operates with only about 30 engineers and lacks a human resources (HR) team. “Durov runs the show solo, recruiting top talent through contests… Talk about lean!” Goenka remarked. Notably, Durov was arrested in France on Saturday.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Iram Aijaz is a student of Mass Communication at Aligarh Muslim University, one of India's renowned institutions. Having already completed her master's in History, she is now pursuing a second master's in Mass Communication, driven by a strong interest in writing about current issues. Iram is eager to apply for internships to sharpen her skills and gain valuable experience as she prepares for a career in this field.
Latest entries
