Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in France

Billionaire CEO Accused of Facilitating Criminal Activity

French authorities detain Russian tech mogul

Paris, France - April 22, 2023 - Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been arrested by French police. According to local media reports, Durov was detained at the Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening.

The arrest stems from allegations that Telegram's encrypted messaging service has been used by criminals to facilitate illegal activities. French authorities have previously expressed concerns that the app's strong privacy features make it difficult for law enforcement to investigate and prevent crimes.

Durov, a Russian billionaire, is known for his strong stance against government surveillance and censorship. He has repeatedly refused to provide backdoors into Telegram's encryption system, even in cases where law enforcement claims it is necessary to prevent terrorism or other serious crimes.

The arrest has sparked concerns among Telegram users and privacy advocates, who fear it could set a precedent for governments to crack down on encrypted messaging services.

• Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France
• French authorities accuse Telegram of facilitating criminal activity
• Durov has resisted government pressure to weaken Telegram's encryption

The arrest of Pavel Durov is a major development in the ongoing debate over the balance between privacy and security in the digital age. It remains to be seen how the French authorities will proceed with their investigation and whether Durov will face charges.