Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, a Russian-born and French billionaire, was reportedly detained by French authorities in Nice last Saturday. The detention is linked to his alleged non-compliance with European regulations.
Durov, who founded Telegram in 2013, left Russia for France in 2014 after refusing to comply with Russian state laws. At the time, Durov expressed his desire for Telegram to remain an independent institution, free from state control, and to serve as a platform for uncensored communication. This stance led him to relocate to France and continue developing Telegram as an international platform.
Telegram, now with almost 1 billion users, has grown to become one of the largest social media platforms, ranking alongside Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, and Elon Musk’s Twitter, now known as X. The platform has gained prominence for its independent structure and unfiltered content, making it a primary source for developments in global geopolitics.
On his way from Azerbaijan to France last Saturday, Durov was reportedly detained by French authorities upon arrival. The official reason given for his detention was related to concerns that Telegram has become a hub for illegal activities, including gambling, corruption, terror financing, and the distribution of explicit content. European authorities, including those in France, have expressed serious concerns over these activities on Telegram, leading to Durov’s detention.
It is important to note that Telegram has become a primary social media app for millions, especially in countries like Russia, Ukraine, and others in the Global South. Its popularity stems from its reputation for independence, with many users believing that it is free from affiliations with any state government. This independence has led to a significant following, as users trust the platform to provide uncensored content.
Experts have raised concerns about Durov’s detention by French authorities, viewing it as a threat to freedom of speech and media independence. Telegram is known for hosting content that often criticizes Western policies, including the perceived hypocrisy of European countries. This has led some governments and authorities to attempt to control or suppress the information circulated on Telegram.
It is crucial to understand that repression should not become a barrier to freedom of speech and media independence. Even if certain information challenges the status quo, it should not be suppressed simply because it does not align with the interests of European authorities.
It is expected that billionaire and Telegram founder Pavel Durov will soon be brought before the judicial courts in France, where he may face prosecution for alleged crimes. If convicted, he could potentially face up to 20 years in prison. This development raises significant concerns about the future of Telegram and its regulations. Many are speculating whether the platform will continue to exist, and if it does, what its nature will be.
This situation is widely viewed as an attack on independent speech and freedom of expression, which should be respected across the globe. The potential prosecution of Durov is seen by some as an attempt to suppress a platform that operates independently and does not align with the interests of certain countries.
(Aayush is a post-graduate student in International Relations at Kalinga University, Raipur. The opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra 
Sindhuri Sai