Pavel Durov, the Russian-born CEO of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, found himself in a challenging situation over the weekend when he was detained at Le Bourget airport in France. This incident has drawn significant attention amid serious allegations concerning the platform's operations, as reported by AFP.
Ongoing Investigations and Company Response
While Telegram asserts that its CEO has "nothing to hide," reports from French media indicate that Durov remained in custody into Sunday as authorities delve into allegations encompassing fraud, drug trafficking, organized crime, promotion of terrorism, and cyber-bullying linked to the messaging service. As of now, no formal charges have been disclosed.
In a statement, Telegram emphasized its commitment to adhering to EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, asserting that its moderation practices align with industry standards and are continuously evolving.
Operating from Dubai, Telegram Messenger ranks among the top five most downloaded applications globally, boasting over 900 million monthly active users as of 2024.
International Reactions and Support
The Russian embassy in Paris has sought clarification regarding Durov's arrest but has yet to receive a response from French authorities. The incident has ignited a wave of support online from advocates of privacy and encryption. Notable figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have publicly backed Durov. Musk shared a video clip of Durov's interview on X, accompanied by the hashtag #FreePavel.
Vitalik Buterin, co-creator of the cryptocurrency Ethereum, expressed his concerns, stating, "This looks very bad and worrying for the future of software and comms freedom in Europe." Whistleblower Edward Snowden also weighed in, describing the arrest as "an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association." He further remarked, "I am surprised and deeply saddened that Macron has descended to the level of taking hostages as a means for gaining access to private communications. It lowers not only France but the world."
In the wake of these developments, the value of toncoin, the cryptocurrency associated with Telegram, experienced a notable decline, plummeting approximately 13% following the news of Durov's arrest.
