Pavel Durov, the Russian-born tech entrepreneur and founder of Telegram, has found himself at the center of international controversy following his arrest in France. Durov, known for his role in creating VKontakte (VK) and Telegram, faces accusations related to his messaging app, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promoting terrorism.
Durov’s rise to prominence began with VKontakte, a social network he launched in 2006. VK quickly outpaced Facebook in popularity among Russian-speaking users but faced scrutiny from Russian authorities. Durov's refusal to comply with government demands for user data led to his departure from VK and Russia in 2014. He sold his stake in VK and left the country, citing conflicts with the Kremlin.
In 2013, Durov launched Telegram with his brother Nikolai, aiming to provide a secure and censorship-resistant platform. The app gained significant popularity for its strong encryption and commitment to user privacy, but it also attracted controversy. Russian authorities attempted to block Telegram in 2018 due to its use by political activists and critics, but these efforts were largely ineffective. Telegram remains widely used in Russia and globally, including in conflict zones like Ukraine.
Durov’s recent arrest in France stems from a warrant related to allegations of illegal activities on Telegram. The French cyber unit and national anti-fraud office are investigating the claims. Durov was detained at a Paris airport and remains in custody as of the latest reports.
Durov, who now holds French citizenship, has a net worth estimated at $15.5 billion, according to Forbes. Despite the legal troubles, he has continued to champion privacy and freedom of expression through Telegram. His arrest has impacted the value of toncoin, the cryptocurrency he developed, which has seen a significant drop since the news broke.
Throughout his career, Durov has maintained a reclusive and enigmatic public persona, avoiding traditional media and often communicating through Telegram. He has made headlines for unconventional personal choices, including a claim of fathering over 100 children through sperm donations, which he described as a “civic duty.”
As investigations continue, Durov’s case highlights the ongoing tensions between tech entrepreneurs, privacy advocates, and global authorities grappling with the implications of digital platforms in modern society.