Pavel Durov, the founder of the popular messaging service Telegram, has been charged and banned from leaving France, according to recent updates.
The French government’s action is based on alleged violations involving the operations of the app in the country. Reports suggest that the charges may be linked to the use of Telegram by extremist groups and the company’s refusal to cooperate with the French government on matters related to encryption.
Pavel Durov is a Russian-born entrepreneur who holds citizenship in Russia, France, and the United Arab Emirates. He previously founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social networking site, before creating Telegram, a messaging app known for its strong focus on user privacy and encryption.
Telegram’s commitment to user privacy has driven its growth, leading to over 500 million active users worldwide. However, this same commitment has made Telegram a platform of choice for individuals and groups seeking anonymity for illegal activities.
The charges against Durov in France are rooted in Telegram’s resistance to French government requests to weaken its encryption protocols, which the authorities see as a barrier to law enforcement efforts.
Following his hearing with investigating magistrates in Paris, the 39-year-old Durov has been charged with several counts of neglecting to remove extremist and illegal content from Telegram.
Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport, just outside Paris, late on Saturday and taken into custody. He was then questioned over the following days.
“He was granted conditional release upon a bail of five million euros, on the condition that he must report to a police station twice a week and remain in France,” Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, said in a statement.
The French government has expressed concerns about Telegram’s role in facilitating communications among extremists, particularly following several terrorist attacks in the country. French authorities argue that Telegram’s refusal to cooperate with law enforcement undermines national security.
The legal battle in France is just one of many challenges Durov and Telegram have faced recently. The company’s refusal to hand over user data or comply with censorship demands has led to it being blocked or restricted in countries including Russia and Iran.
Durov’s attorney, David-Olivier Kaminski, called it “absurd” to imply that Durov was connected to any criminal activity on the app, stating, “Telegram complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology.”
Separately, Durov is under investigation on suspicion of “serious acts of violence” against one of his children while in Paris with the boy’s mother, his former partner. She filed a complaint with prosecutors last year in Switzerland.
The charges against Durov could have significant implications for Telegram’s operations in Europe and globally. If found guilty, Telegram may be compelled to comply with government requests, potentially undermining its privacy and encryption policies.
For now, Pavel Durov will remain in France, facing a legal battle that could shape his future and that of Telegram.
