Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested at a French airport after stepping off his private plane. The arrest occurred at Bourget airport, outside Paris, following a flight from Azerbaijan. Durov, who holds dual citizenship in France and the UAE, was reportedly targeted by an arrest warrant in France.
Key Takeaways
- Event: Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, arrested at Bourget airport, France.
- Time: Arrest took place around 8pm local time.
- Travel: Durov was returning from Azerbaijan on his private jet.
- Citizenship: Holds dual citizenship in France and the UAE.
- Company: Telegram, founded in 2013, has 950 million active users.
- Security: Accompanied by a bodyguard during the arrest.
Background
Pavel Durov, a 39-year-old tech billionaire, founded Telegram in 2013 along with his brother Nikolai. The app, intended as a rival to WhatsApp, allows users to send messages, photos, and videos, participate in group chats, and broadcast to unlimited audiences. Telegram is known for its ‘secret chats,’ where messages are stored on devices rather than the cloud and can self-destruct after a set period.
Despite being born in Russia, Durov has not lived there since 2014, following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Crimea and the Donbas area of Ukraine. He now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is based. Durov has stated that he has no plans to return to Russia and no longer holds Russian citizenship.
Arrest Details
Durov was reportedly arrested at around 8pm local time while accompanied by his bodyguard. The arrest was executed based on an arrest warrant in France. The specific reasons for the warrant have not been disclosed.
Telegram’s Global Impact
Telegram has grown to have 950 million active users, with India leading in the number of users. The app allows for ‘secret chats,’ media sharing, and both private and group voice or video calls. It has been a significant player in global communications, often touted for its strong privacy features.
Controversies and Challenges
Telegram has faced scrutiny from various governments, including the UK, for not doing enough to prevent extremists from using the platform for criminal activities. The Counter Extremism Project has acknowledged some efforts by Telegram to curb such activities but insists that more can be done.
Earlier this month, Telegram announced it would take action against those using the platform to incite violence amidst the UK riots. The company stated that it was removing posts calling for violence and that its moderators were actively monitoring the situation using a combination of AI tools and user reports.
Durov’s Vision
Despite the controversies, Durov has maintained that Telegram will remain a ‘neutral platform’ and not a ‘player in geopolitics.’ He is estimated to be worth around £12 billion and has consistently emphasized the importance of privacy and neutrality in the digital age.