Telegram CEO Arrested in Paris: What You Need to Know

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested in Paris over allegations that his platform has been used for illicit activities, such as drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse images. Durov, who holds citizenship in several countries including France and Russia, was detained at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday. Telegram maintains its adherence to EU laws and asserts its content moderation is within industry standards. French authorities, however, have pointed to Telegram’s use by Islamic extremists and drug traffickers, highlighting concerns about the platform’s potential for misuse. Telegram, launched in 2013, is known for its group chat functionality and encryption features, though these features are not enabled by default. While Telegram has over 950 million active users, its lack of robust content moderation has drawn criticism from Western governments and experts, raising concerns about its potential for criminal activities.