Telegram Founder Arrested, Is Free Speech Under Attack?

With Pavel Durov still detained in France, Telegram releases a statement, and prominent tech figures come out in support.

Pavel Durov, the prominent Russian-born tech mogul and founder of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been detained by French authorities following his arrival at Le Bourget airport just north of Paris. 

Durov, known for his staunch advocacy for privacy and digital rights, was apprehended after his private jet, arriving from Baku, touched down. The arrest, confirmed by multiple French media outlets including Le Monde, has sparked a flurry of international reactions and raised significant concerns about the intersection of technology, privacy, and law enforcement.

The arrest warrant, reportedly issued by France’s L’Office Mineurs (OFMIN), which investigates crimes against minors, signals a serious inquiry into Telegram’s operations and their alleged links to unlawful activities such as fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime. Sources close to the investigation detailed that the preliminary probe focuses heavily on what is perceived as Telegram’s lack of effective content moderation.

According to an AFP report, the allegations against Durov and his platform are broad, suggesting that the app has been used as a conduit for various illicit activities. This has led to the potential for severe legal repercussions, with speculations about Durov facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

A Bloomberg report highlighted comments from Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, who corroborated the news of Durov’s arrest in a post on Telegram, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. 

Telegram Issues Statement

In contrast, the messaging platform issued a statement defending its compliance with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act. “Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all.” the statement read, asserting that the allegations were surprising given Durov’s frequent travels in Europe and his transparent business operations.

Source: X

Free Speech Under Attack?

The reaction has been swift and vocal, with various figures weighing in on the implications of Durov’s detention. Russian authorities have expressed dismay at France’s actions, with the Russian embassy in Paris demanding access to Durov and accusing French authorities of “avoiding engagement” on the matter.

Meanwhile, American political figures and commentators have also shared their perspectives. Tucker Carlson, a right-wing commentator, argued on social media platform X that Durov’s arrest is an affront to free speech, stating “Pavel Durov left Russia when the government tried to control his social media company, Telegram. But in the end, it wasn’t Putin who arrested him for allowing the public to exercise free speech. It was a western country, a Biden administration ally and enthusiastic NATO member, that locked him away. Pavel Durov sits in a French jail tonight, a living warning to any platform owner who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intel agencies. Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world.”

Elon Musk simply Tweeted “#FreePavel” and linked to Carlson’s previous interview with the Telegram founder.

Prominent tech figures such as Edward Snowden, Balaji Srinivasan, and Lex Fridman also tweeted their support for Telegram and Pavel. 

TON Under Pressure

Following the news of Durov’s detention, Toncoin (TON) experienced a sharp decline, dropping nearly 17% within hours, from approximately $6.80 to around $5.38.

The Open Network (TON), Telegram’s affiliated blockchain protocol, remains unaffected by Durov’s arrest, according to an official post on its X account. The post reassured the community of its operational status and rallied support for Durov, emphasizing the platform’s foundational principles of speech freedom and decentralization.

Durov’s personal history with governmental interference, particularly from the Russian government when he managed VK, the largest Russian social network, underscores the complexities of his current predicament. After leaving Russia in 2014 due to increasing government pressures, Durov has lived in various countries, eventually settling in Dubai, citing its business-friendly environment and neutrality—a stark contrast to the regulatory challenges he now faces in Europe.

As the situation unfolds, the digital and geopolitical communities are keenly watching the outcomes of Durov’s impending court appearances and the broader implications for digital privacy and the responsibilities of tech platforms in moderating content while safeguarding user rights.