Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested on Saturday evening at Bourget airport outside Paris, according to reports from TF1 TV and BFM TV. The arrest comes as French authorities investigate Telegram’s alleged lack of adequate moderation, which they believe has allowed criminal activities to flourish on the platform.

The investigation has raised questions about Telegram’s responsibility in monitoring content, with police reportedly viewing the platform’s insufficient moderation as a gateway for illegal activities. Neither Telegram nor French officials, including the Interior Ministry and police, have commented on the arrest. Meanwhile, Russia, which has previously attempted to ban Telegram, announced it is taking steps to “clarify” Durov’s situation.

Background on Pavel Durov and Telegram:

• Durov’s Journey: Born in Russia, Pavel Durov, 39, is the founder and owner of Telegram, a free messaging app that competes with major platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and WeChat. Telegram is on track to surpass one billion active monthly users within the next year.
• Influence in the Region: Telegram holds significant influence in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states, playing a crucial role in disseminating information about Russia’s war in Ukraine. Some analysts describe the app as a “virtual battlefield” due to its widespread use by both Russian and Ukrainian officials.
• Exile from Russia: Durov, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $15.5 billion, fled Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with government orders to shut down opposition communities on his previous social media platform, VKontakte, which he later sold.
• Citizenship and Relocation: Durov became a French citizen in August 2021. In 2017, he relocated both himself and Telegram to Dubai and has since acquired citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis.
• Russian Blockade Attempt: In 2018, Russia attempted to block Telegram after the app refused to grant state security services access to its users’ encrypted messages. The ban had little impact on the app’s availability in Russia but sparked mass protests in Moscow and criticism from NGOs.
• European Scrutiny: Telegram’s growing popularity has attracted scrutiny from European countries, including France, over security and data privacy concerns. In May, EU tech regulators indicated that they were in contact with Telegram as the platform neared a key usage threshold that could subject it to more stringent requirements under the EU’s landmark online content legislation.

In an interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson in April, Durov reflected on his decision to leave Russia, stating, “I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone,” highlighting his quest to find a suitable home for his company, which has seen brief stints in cities like Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco.

(Adapted from EconomicTimes.com)