Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at the Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening, local media outlets reported. The 39-year-old arrived in France on his private jet when officials detained him. TF1 added that an arrest warrant has been issued and authorities are invetstigating the alleged lack of moderation on Telegram.
Officials are yet to issue a formal statement about Durov's arrest. However, here's brief timeline of events leading up to the Telegram chief's detention:
2013: Pavel Durov launched Telegram, emphasizing privacy, encryption, and free speech as core principles. His refusal to censor content quickly positioned Telegram as a platform resistant to governmental control.
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2014-2021: Telegram faced growing scrutiny from governments worldwide, particularly in Russia, Iran, and other countries, over its use by various groups for organizing protests, sharing extremist content, and other activities considered illegal in those regions. Durov consistently refused demands to provide backdoor access or censor content, which bolstered his reputation as a staunch defender of free speech.
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2022: The platform saw increased controversy due to its use by extremist groups, and criminals who exploited Telegram’s encryption to carry out illegal activities. Governments intensified their calls for Telegram to implement stricter moderation policies.
2023-2024: Pressures on Durov and Telegram continued to mount, particularly in Europe. France and other countries criticized Telegram for not taking enough action against illegal content, including terrorism-related material, child exploitation, and drug trafficking. Despite this, Durov maintained his stance against broad censorship, arguing that it would undermine the platform’s integrity.
August 2024: Tensions culminated with Durov’s arrest in France on August 24, 2024. He was detained at Le Bourget Airport in Paris and faces charges related to his platform’s alleged lack of moderation.