French authorities have detained Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, highlighting ongoing tensions between state regulation and freedom of speech.
Durov, a French-Russian billionaire, was taken into custody by officers from France’s anti-fraud office at Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening after arriving from Azerbaijan, as reported by CNN affiliate BFMTV.
The arrest stems from a French warrant issued due to concerns over the lack of content moderation on Telegram. Authorities have cited the platform’s alleged use in illegal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and the sharing of illicit content.
Durov, 39, has been a vocal advocate for privacy and freedom of expression, principles that have made Telegram popular but also controversial.
The app’s strong encryption and minimal censorship have sparked debates over the balance between protecting individual freedoms and preventing criminal activity.
Durov had reportedly avoided frequent travel to France and Europe following the issuance of the arrest warrant, raising questions about the broader implications for digital rights in an era of increasing regulatory scrutiny.
