By Ezekiel David
Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday after arriving from Azerbaijan.
The 39-year-old billionaire, who is dual citizen of the United Arab Emirates and France, was taken into custody as part of an initial probe into claims that Telegram permits illegal conduct because of inadequate moderation and a lack of collaboration with law enforcement.
The arrest drew criticism from figures like Elon Musk, who expressed concern over the state of free speech in Europe. Russian officials also cautioned Paris to respect Durov’s rights.
Read also: Pavel Durov: Why Telegram CEO was arrested in France
Telegram released a statement defending Durov, stating, “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.” The company emphasized its compliance with EU laws and commitment to improving content moderation.
In 2013, a year before leaving Russia because he would not close opposition organisations on his previous social media platform, VK, Durov founded Telegram, a platform that prioritises privacy and encryption. With around a billion users, the app is very popular in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet states.
Known for his libertarian views and admiration for Steve Jobs, Durov has previously stated his desire for Telegram to remain a neutral platform, saying in April, “I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone.”
The investigation is being led by France’s cybersecurity gendarmerie and national anti-fraud police. Durov’s arrest has sparked debate about the balance between online freedom and the responsibility of platforms to combat illicit activities.
(Source: Reuters)