France Extends Detention of Telegram Chief Pavel Durov Amid Legal Proceedings

Photo : Reuters

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, has had his detention extended by French authorities following his arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris late Saturday. The arrest adds a dramatic new chapter to the career of one of the most influential figures in technology.

The detention, initially for questioning, can last up to 96 hours. After this period, the investigating magistrate will decide whether to release Durov or press formal charges and continue his custody. The extension was confirmed by a source close to the investigation.

Durov, 39, was apprehended upon arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he had been before heading to Paris for dinner. He was accompanied by a bodyguard and personal assistant. France's OFMIN, responsible for preventing violence against minors, issued the arrest warrant amid a preliminary investigation into allegations including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and terrorism promotion.

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The French authorities accuse Durov of not sufficiently addressing the criminal misuse of Telegram. In response, Telegram stated that "Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe," and defended its moderation practices as compliant with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act.

The arrest has prompted a strong reaction from international figures. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), publicly supported Durov with the hashtag #FreePavel. US whistleblower Edward Snowden condemned the arrest as an attack on basic human rights, criticizing Paris for using "hostage-taking" as a means to gain access to private communications.

Durov founded Telegram in 2013 after leaving VKontakte, a Russian social network he initially launched. Telegram has gained popularity for its encrypted messaging and its resistance to commercial data exploitation practices of Western platforms. However, it has faced criticism for hosting illegal content, including extremist and disinformation materials.

The Russian embassy in Paris has expressed frustration over France’s refusal to grant consular access to Durov, claiming non-cooperation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that while Moscow requested consular access, France considers Durov's French citizenship as primary, complicating the process.

Telegram, now based in Dubai, has positioned itself as a privacy-focused alternative to US-based platforms, with a stated commitment to user data protection. The platform's large group sizes and minimal moderation have led to accusations that it facilitates the spread of harmful content, a claim that Telegram has consistently denied.

Durov had previously spoken about the challenges he faced from the Russian government and his decision to move Telegram’s headquarters to Dubai, citing the UAE’s favorable business environment and neutrality. The app reportedly has over 900 million active users and remains a significant player in the global messaging market.

The investigation into Durov’s activities continues, with global attention focused on the implications of his detention for freedom of speech and international tech diplomacy.

Aug. 26, 2024 11:03 a.m. 485

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