Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Amid Moderation Controversies

Pavel Durov, CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was detained in France on Saturday under a warrant related to his platform’s moderation practices. Telegram has since stated that Durov has “nothing to hide” and defended the company’s moderation standards amid growing scrutiny.

Durov was apprehended at an airport north of Paris following accusations that Telegram failed to adequately address criminal activity on the platform. The investigation reportedly focuses on insufficient moderation, with allegations that Telegram did not do enough to curb drug trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and fraud. The company has responded by asserting that its moderation practices are in line with industry standards and are continuously improving.

In a statement, Telegram condemned the claims, calling it “absurd” to hold a platform or its owner responsible for the misuse of the service. The company emphasized its compliance with European Union laws, including the Digital Services Act, which aims to create a safer online environment. “Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information,” the statement read. Telegram expressed confidence in a “prompt resolution” of the situation, asserting that the platform is committed to its users and their safety.

Judicial sources quoted by AFP news agency indicated that Durov’s detention was extended on Sunday and could potentially last up to 96 hours. Durov, 39, was born in Russia and now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered. He holds citizenship of the United Arab Emirates and France.

Telegram, which has significant user bases in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet Union states, faced a ban in Russia in 2018 after Durov refused to comply with government demands for user data. The ban was lifted in 2021. The app remains a major player in the social media landscape, ranking alongside platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

Durov founded Telegram in 2013 and relocated from Russia in 2014 following government pressure to shut down opposition communities on his previous social media platform, VKontakte. The Russian foreign ministry has taken steps to clarify the situation surrounding Durov’s detention and to ensure his rights are protected. The Russian embassy in France has sought to provide consular access and clarify the reasons for Durov’s arrest, although it reported a lack of cooperation from French authorities.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova questioned whether Western human rights organizations would address Durov’s detention with the same intensity as they did when Telegram faced restrictions in Russia.

Telegram has faced criticism for its moderation practices, particularly in relation to the spread of extremist content and misinformation. In the UK, the app was scrutinized for hosting far-right channels linked to recent violent incidents in English cities. While Telegram has removed some problematic groups, cybersecurity experts argue that its moderation system is less robust compared to other major social media platforms.

As the situation unfolds, the tech community and global observers will be watching closely to see how the legal and regulatory challenges facing Telegram and its CEO will be resolved.