The news of Durov's detention has sparked significant reactions on the global stage. In Moscow, the Russian government issued a statement urging France to respect Durov's rights. This sentiment was echoed by Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), who criticised the incident as an attack on free speech in Europe. Both French and Russian media have reported on the arrest, with sources indicating that Durov had just arrived from Azerbaijan when he was apprehended.
Durov, who holds both French and UAE citizenship, is allegedly under investigation by French authorities as part of a preliminary inquiry into Telegram's role in enabling potential criminal activities. The inquiry reportedly focuses on the platform's lack of moderators and its insufficient cooperation with law enforcement. Despite repeated attempts, neither Telegram nor its senior management has commented on the situation. The French Interior Ministry, police, and Paris prosecutor's office have also remained silent.
Telegram, based in Dubai, was created by Durov after he left Russia in 2014. His departure followed a refusal to shut down opposition groups on VK, his previous social media platform, which he eventually sold. Telegram has since grown into a major global messaging service, with nearly one billion users, and holds particular influence in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. The app's encrypted messaging capabilities have made it a critical platform for communication in regions of conflict, particularly in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Durov, who has an estimated net worth of $15.5 billion according to Forbes, has previously stated that despite pressures from various governments, he believes Telegram should remain a "neutral platform" rather than become a "player in geopolitics." The idea for Telegram was born out of Durov's experiences in Russia, where he sought to create a secure communication channel amidst increasing government scrutiny. His younger brother, Nikolai, designed the app's encryption technology.
The platform's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been significant, with Telegram becoming a key source of unfiltered and sometimes controversial content from both sides. Analysts have described Telegram as a "virtual battlefield," heavily utilised by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian government officials. The Russian foreign ministry has demanded access to Durov, despite his French citizenship, and criticised him for leaving Russia. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev remarked that Durov had misjudged the situation, thinking he could escape the influence of security services by leaving Russia.
Russia has had a contentious history with Telegram, attempting to block the app in 2018 after Durov refused to grant state security services access to its encrypted messages. Although the ban caused disruptions, Telegram remained widely accessible, leading to widespread protests and criticism from non-governmental organisations.
As Durov awaits potential indictment, his arrest has raised concerns about the future of Telegram and its commitment to user privacy and freedom of speech. The platform's growing popularity has drawn scrutiny from several European countries, particularly regarding security and data privacy issues. Elon Musk's response to the incident, suggesting a grim future for free speech in Europe, underscores the broader implications of Durov's arrest. Outside the French embassy in Moscow, a lone protester was seen holding a sign that read: "Liberté pour Pavel Durov," reflecting the broader concerns about the implications of this high-profile detention.
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