Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested by French authorities outside of Paris, prompting the company to assert that he has “nothing to hide.”
In an official statement, Telegram called it “absurd” to hold a platform or its owner accountable for how users misuse the service. French officials confirmed to various media outlets that Durov’s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into criminal activities on the social network app.
Although Telegram doesn’t automatically encrypt messages, its relaxed moderation policies have made it popular for those seeking a private, censorship-free social media platform. The official statement from the company says:
Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.
The app has become a vital information source during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, a fact not lost on Russia. The Russian government, seemingly very interested in Pavel Durov, claims that France has denied their embassy in Paris access to him. Durov, born in Russia, holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, where Telegram is headquartered.
In an April interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov stated that the platform aims for neutrality. He emphasized resisting government moderation requests. Durov, who holds citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, shared that he avoids travel to politically significant countries where his company attracts considerable attention.
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