Who is Pavel Durov? The Telegram CEO Charged with Multiple Crimes In France.
Founder of the instant messaging app: Telegram, entrepreneur, and digital businessman, Pavel Durov has found himself in the limelight, once again, but for ‘misguided’, and for no good reason, this time. As a continual advocate for free speech and the prevention of policing and monitoring of users’ online behaviour, Durov has now been faced with charges against criminal conspiracies and activities on the Telegram app itself.
Deeply committed to ideals of free media and free speech, Durov, 39, established the instant messaging network, Telegram in 2013. Rising alongside competitors such as Facebook and WhatsApp, Telegram marketed itself as ‘uncensored’ and ‘free’ for all to consume and enjoy. Contextually, the app was launched by Durov, and his brother, Nikolai Durov, who, at the time, faced much control, surveillance and heavy monitoring from the Russian government.
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The Tell-Tales of Telegram
In an admirable and well-executed attempt to overcome this, the application came with many features and services such as ‘end-to-end encryption, large group chats, and an open API’. This meant that users could exchange messages, share ideas, information and opinions without the interference or censorship of heavily involved governments pushing one-sided and heavily biassed agendas.
Telegram resultantly became a space free of external influences; media bots operating under government authority could not delete information, or prevent others’ access to opinions, be they political or not, and resultantly forming their own unbiased, and thought-provoking ideas. As Medium summarises, Telegram, at the time, was notorious for its ‘emphasis on privacy, speed, and security, [which] carved out a significant niche in the crowded messaging app market.
Today, Telegram operates alongside many other instant messaging services, including the likes of WhatsApp, other Meta owned corporations, such as Facebook and Instagram, and WeChat, to name a few. A continual advocate for free speech, as is in line with the identity and core values of his brand and entire life enterprise, Durov is now faced with charges through his networking and communications on the app. Previously being banned from Russia, thereafter France in August 2024, he now finds himself in Dubai, with several claims laid against him by the French government.
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The Fall of the Hero
The details of the charges fall in line with the French government’s alleged commitment to ‘freedom of expression’, as proclaimed by President Emmanuel Macron. However, there is an extent to which freedom of expression can operate, and this is breached when legalities are compromised, both in the digital and physical realm. When it comes to the safety, privacy, livelihood and safety of virtual users, and individuals as they exist in real-time, the existence of freedom of expression can become questionable, controversial and close-ended to discussion.
The criminal activities referenced include child abuse, child sex-trafficking, drug trafficking and fraud. Durov was charged by being aware of the aforementioned activities, and its existence and business proceedings occurring on his app, but remained nonchalant and naïve to its entire existence and happenings. As per the French governments limitations to freedom of expression, free press and non-surveillant practices, it seems these activities check the boxes to validate and justify the arrest.
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Without understanding the fullest extent of his arrest, the online community has proclaimed a modern witch hunt against the French government, painting them as not upholding the rights, privacy, and liberation of the national and global communities. Many digital audiences, including industry market leaders such as X’s Elon Musk fired back that it is unjust to hold the ‘platform owner’ accountable for the go-ons and exchanges ensuing within the apps and digital communities they control.
Durov, too, responded that the allegations made against him were ‘misleading’, and ‘deceptive’, to both himself and his large following within the existing global community. He states, ‘French authorities should have approached his company with their complaints rather than detaining him’. He continued to deny the allegations made against Telegram, in which criminal and malignant communications and activities were carried out, ‘we take down millions of harmful posts and channels every day’ he expounds.
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Will Telegram still be Telegram?
Amidst the claims that Telegram is an ‘anarchic paradise’, and Durov’s response that such claims, names and charges are ‘misguided’, it is interesting to consider whether ‘boundaries’ or limitations do, in fact, need to be enforced to global audiences and digital users. It is also interesting to note that, ‘Durov pledged to improve moderation efforts amid rapid user growth’.
The main defining factor and differentiation used to expand, promote and distinguish himself, and Telegram, against other platforms was its uncensored and unfiltered arrangements and opportunities for users. It now becomes questionable whether the existence of ‘free speech’ is legitimate, or if it exists according to an extent of pre-stipulated criteria.
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Of course, limitations to ensure safety and online regulation is justifiable, but the complete change and counter to his brand through the introduction of ‘moderation’ now seems counterproductive. It will be noteworthy to see how the usership of the application becomes affected, and whether growth or decline in the app ensues.
