Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested on Multiple Charges

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been charged in France with a wide range of crimes, including complicity with the distribution of child pornography, drug trafficking, fraud, and refusal to provide information necessary to law enforcement. The charges follow investigations into how Telegram is used in criminal activities across Europe, and the company’s failure (or refusal) to moderate them.

A global communications platform with nearly 1 billion users, Telegram is notorious for being used by criminal networks, particularly those involved in drug trafficking and extremist groups. Specifically, the charges are related to Telegram's encryption policies and its alleged refusal to provide law enforcement with access to communications on the platform.

Durov has long championed Telegram as a platform for free speech and privacy. As Telegram’s CEO, he now faces legal challenges alleging complicity in the dissemination of illicit content and failure to comply with national security laws, amounting to obstruction of justice.

French public prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, confirmed that Durov is charged with 12 different crimes. Some carry significant penalties in terms of jail time or monetary fines. For example, “complicity in web-mastering an online platform in order to enable an illegal transaction in organized group” carries a maximum jail term of 10 years.

As of now, Durov has been released on a €5 million bail on the condition that he may not leave France and must report to a police station twice a week.

Telegram defended its founder in a statement on X, stating: “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.” The platform also asserted that “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act.”

The Russian-born Durov currently holds citizenship with Russia, France, the UAE, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. He previously also founded the Russian social network VK, which he resigned as CEO from and sold under pressure from the Russian authorities. At VK, he refused to hand over information about Ukrainian protestors or remove the pages of opposition parties.

This comes as social media platforms are facing challenges around the world as tools for freedom of speech and access to information. Venezuela recently blocked X in the aftermath of its latest election results, which faced strong dissent within the country. Similarly, Turkey recently instituted a 9-day Instagram ban to pressure parent company Meta into revising its content moderation policies.