Telegram CEO Detained in France, Claims ‘Nothing to Hide’
Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was detained at an airport north of Paris under a warrant related to allegations concerning the messaging app. Authorities are reportedly investigating insufficient content moderation practices, with accusations that Durov failed to act against the misuse of Telegram for criminal activities, including drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and fraud.
In a recent statement, Telegram defended its moderation policies, asserting they meet industry standards and are continually improving. The platform stressed, “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
Durov, who frequently travels across Europe, emphasized Telegram’s compliance with EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, designed to foster a safe online environment. With nearly a billion users worldwide, Telegram has become a vital communication tool, the company noted, stating, “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.”
Officials noted that Durov’s detention could extend up to 96 hours. Born in Russia and currently residing in Dubai, Durov holds dual citizenship in the UAE and France. Telegram is particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet states, although it faced a ban in Russia in 2018 due to Durov’s refusal to hand over user data — a ban that was lifted in 2021.
The Russian Embassy in France has announced it is seeking clarification regarding Durov’s detention and aims to ensure protection of his rights. In a social media post, they criticized the lack of cooperation from French authorities.
Commenting on the situation, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova questioned whether Western human rights organizations would address Durov’s arrest following their previous criticisms of Russia’s actions against Telegram.
Critics have raised concerns over Telegram’s large group capacities, which can facilitate the spread of misinformation, extremism, and illegal content. Recently, the app faced scrutiny in the UK for hosting channels linked to far-right activities that incited violence. While Telegram has removed some problematic groups, experts argue that its content moderation remains less robust compared to other social media platforms.
