The billionaire CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been arrested in France.
The Russian messaging app has over 950 million monthly users.
Telegram has a ‘Secret Chat’ feature where users can send each other encrypted messages, meaning they cannot be read by any third parties or Telegram staff.
According to reports by French media outlet TF1, authorities allege Durov’s app facilitates drug trafficking and child sexual abuse.
Telegram
In 2006, Durov founded Vkontakte (VK), a popular Russian social media platform.
He refused to take down anti-government content posted on VK during protests against Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2011.
However, following significant pressure from the Russian Government, Durov sold his stake in VK to a businessman with ties to Putin.
He moved to Dubai and has since become a French citizen. In August 2013, Durov and his brother Nikolai founded Telegram.
Arrest
Durov was reportedly arrested by French authorities at an airport outside of Paris over the weekend.
French outlet TF1 claims Pavel Durov was arrested over Telegram’s moderation and content policies.
It reported allegations that the platform is being used to facilitate theft, fraud, drug trafficking, child sexual abuse, and money laundering.
Response
A statement from Telegram’s media office said Durov had “nothing to hide”.
It said Telegram “abides by EU laws” and that “its moderation is within industry standards”.
The statement also said blaming a platform or its founder for “abuse of that platform” is “absurd”.
The Russian Embassy in France said French authorities are “avoiding interaction on this issue” and that Durov’s lawyer has been contacted.
