Pavel Durov, the co-founder of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested in France in connection with an investigation into criminal activities on the platform and a lack of cooperation with law enforcement. Durov, a Russian-born billionaire with French citizenship, was detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris after arriving from Azerbaijan on his private jet. The arrest, which French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized was not politically motivated, has sparked a global debate over free speech and has been met with outrage in Moscow.
The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, stated that the investigation involves illicit transactions, child sexual abuse, fraud, and Telegram’s refusal to provide information to authorities. Jean-Michel Bernigaud, secretary general of Ofmin, a French agency aimed at preventing violence against children, linked the arrest to Telegram’s inadequate efforts to combat crime on the platform, particularly the spread of child sexual abuse material.
Telegram has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that it abides by EU laws and that its moderation practices are in line with industry standards. Durov’s arrest has reignited discussions on the responsibilities of social media platforms in preventing illegal activities and balancing free speech with safety.
In response to the arrest, some Russian officials have criticized it as an example of Western hypocrisy on free speech, with Russian politicians and the embassy in France expressing support for Durov. Meanwhile, Elon Musk condemned the arrest, framing it as an attack on free speech in Europe. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between tech companies and governments over the regulation of content on digital platforms.
