Pavel Durov, the CEO and mastermind behind the popular messaging app Telegram, stepped out into the crisp French evening only to be arrested by the French authorities as the sleek private jet touched down at Bourget airport. His luxurious exit was swiftly curtailed as authorities awaited, ready to whisk him away in a dramatic turn of events. The founder and CEO's swift transition from sky-high tranquility to grounded uncertainty was a sight to behold, as reported by French TV network TF1
Who Is Pavel Durov?
Pavel Durov is the tech titan behind Telegram and VK, who has etched his name in the digital annals. With a reputation as the "Russian Mark Zuckerberg," he's faced down challenges and controversies, yet remains a beacon of innovation and a champion of user privacy.
Pavel Durov was born in Leningrad but grew up largely in Turin, Italy, where his father worked. In 2006, he earned a first-class degree from the Philology Department at Saint Petersburg State University. Durov's formative years and early career are thoroughly chronicled in the 2012 book The Durov Code: The True Story of VK and Its Creator.
Forbes values Durov's fortune at $15.5 billion. Originally from Russia, Durov departed in 2014 after defying government demands to hand over data on Ukrainian protest leaders from his former social network, Vkontakte. He now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered, and was reportedly arriving from Azerbaijan when his plane landed.
Durov is a force to be reckoned with. As the visionary co-founder and CEO of Telegram, he has revolutionized the way we communicate, ushering in a new era of instant messaging. But his tech triumphs don't stop there - he's also the mastermind behind VK, Russia's sprawling social network. Dubbed the "Russian Mark Zuckerberg" for his pioneering spirit, Durov has navigated the cyber world with unbridled passion and ingenuity. Yet, his journey hasn't been without its challenges - from skirmishes with the Russian government to the ever-present scrutiny of the public eye. Still, Durov remains an icon in the tech universe, celebrated for his unwavering dedication to user privacy and his unrelenting quest for innovation.
Why Was Pavel Durov Arrested?
On August 24, 2024, Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport in France. This arrest is connected to an ongoing investigation into claims that Telegram's inadequate content moderation has enabled criminal activities to flourish.
Last month, Durov announced that Telegram had 950 million active users, aiming to hit 1 billion by year's end. Despite the app's massive scale, the company operates with just around 30 engineers—a surprisingly small team—highlighting Durov's crucial role in keeping Telegram running smoothly.
Authorities suspect that Telegram's minimal moderation and features like cryptocurrency transactions facilitate global drug trafficking, pedophilia, and fraud. However, the search warrant could only be executed if Durov entered French territory.
