On August 24, 2024, Telegram CEO and co-founder of Ton blockchain , Pavel Durov was arrested at Paris-Le Bourget Airport, triggering widespread debate over free speech and platform moderation.
A year later, the investigation remains unresolved, with Durov restricted to France.
He is facing 12 charges tied to alleged criminal activities on Telegram, including fraud, drug trafficking, and cyberbullying.
Investigation On Pavel Drags On
French authorities, led by L’Office Mineurs (OFMIN), targeted Durov for Telegram’s alleged lack of content moderation, holding him complicit in user-driven crimes.
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Telegram responded, asserting compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act, and maintaining industry-standard moderation practices. Despite this, no trial date has been set.
In a June 2025 interview with Tucker Carlson, described the requirement to remain in France as “unnecessary,” noting he only needs to appear before investigative judges periodically to assess if the case warrants a trial.
He expressed hope for a resolution or lifted travel restrictions soon.
Durov broke his silence in September 2024, expressing surprise at the arrest given Telegram’s cooperation mechanisms with authorities. The TON Society labeled the arrest an attack on free speech, while Edward Snowden accused French President Emmanuel Macron of leveraging the case to access private communications.
On a personal note, Durov revealed the investigation’s toll, including his partner’s miscarriage due to stress. In December 2024, he made his first court appearance and later secured limited travel rights to the UAE for business.
Global Crackdown on Encrypted Messaging
Durov’s case coincides with heightened global scrutiny of encrypted messaging platforms.
In the EU, Denmark’s proposed “Chat Control” bill, backed by 19 of 27 member states, would mandate platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to scan all user messages, photos, and videos to combat child sexual abuse.
Critics argue this undermines privacy, and the European Crypto Initiative is mobilizing opposition ahead of a September stakeholder session.
In Russia, Durov’s home country, authorities have banned Telegram, WhatsApp, and other platforms, citing their use in fraud and terrorism.
The government has promoted Max, a messaging app integrating government services and payments, which reportedly stores extensive user data accessible to authorities.
From September 1, 2025, Max will be pre-installed on phones sold in Russia. Durov’s history with Russian authorities is notable. He left VK, a social media platform he founded, in 2014 after refusing to share user data on Ukrainian protestors.
Telegram’s Stance and Future Implications
Durov has emphasized Telegram’s commitment to privacy, stating the platform would exit markets rather than compromise encryption or user rights.
“We don’t trade privacy for market share,” he said, distinguishing Telegram from competitors.
In a Telegram post on Sunday, Pavel Durov described his August 2024 arrest by French authorities as “unprecedented,” arguing that it is “legally and logically absurd” to hold a tech executive responsible for the actions of independent users.
As governments worldwide push for access to encrypted communications, Durov’s case could set a precedent for how messaging platforms are regulated and developed.
The slow-moving investigation continues to raise questions about balancing user privacy with public safety, with implications for the future of digital communication.
