Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France Over App Moderation Issues

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested by French police at Le Bourget Airport, just north of Paris. The arrest took place after his private jet landed, with French media reporting that the 39-year-old billionaire was detained under a warrant related to moderation failures on the popular messaging app.

The investigation reportedly centers on accusations that Telegram has not taken adequate measures to curb criminal activities on its platform. The app is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to cooperate with law enforcement on issues related to drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Despite these accusations, Telegram has previously denied that it lacks sufficient moderation.

Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, have criticized the arrest. Zakharova questioned whether Western human rights organizations would remain silent on the issue, contrasting the situation with criticisms they previously levied against Russia for creating obstacles for Telegram’s operations in 2018. Several Russian officials have condemned Durov’s arrest, accusing the West of double standards regarding free speech and democracy.