| Key Points: – Telegram founder Pavel Durov was allowed to leave France after months of investigation into allegations that the platform facilitated illegal activities. – Durov criticized French authorities for poor communication and defended Telegram’s moderation policies. |
Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, has returned to Dubai after spending several months in France under investigation for alleged criminal activities on the messaging platform.
The return follows a ruling by a French court that allowed him to leave the country, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Telegram Founder Returns to Dubai After Months in France
Durov was detained in August 2024 upon arrival at Le Bourget Airport near Paris and subsequently placed under formal investigation. French authorities accused Telegram of failing to curb illicit activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
As a result, the Telegram founder was barred from leaving France and had his passport confiscated. He was released after paying a €5 million bail but remained under legal scrutiny.
Throughout the investigation, Durov maintained that Telegram had exceeded its legal obligations regarding content moderation and cooperation with authorities. In a statement, he expressed gratitude to the investigative judge, his legal team, and supporters, emphasizing that the case is still ongoing.
“It feels great to be home,” he stated upon his return to Dubai.
Durov Defends Telegram’s Moderation Efforts
The Telegram founder also criticized French authorities for their handling of the situation, arguing that they failed to communicate effectively despite having access to his legal representatives.
Durov insisted that Telegram was never intended as a tool for criminal activity, highlighting that the platform removes approximately 20 million accounts and one million groups each month for policy violations.
TON, the native token of The Open Network and the infrastructure for Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem, is currently seeing impressive growth following news related to the Telegram founder and is currently trading above $3.4.
The controversy surrounding Durov’s arrest sparked international reactions. The TON Society, a blockchain organization affiliated with Telegram, called on global institutions, including the United Nations and the European Union, to intervene. Free speech advocates warned that targeting a platform’s CEO for user activity could set a dangerous precedent for privacy-focused technologies.
Telegram, founded by Durov and his brother in response to crackdowns on pro-democracy protests in Russia, remains a widely used communication tool, particularly in Ukraine. The platform is relied upon by media outlets and government officials for real-time updates on Russia’s ongoing military actions.
Despite the legal challenges, Telegram continues to evolve. On January 21, the company announced it would discontinue support for all blockchains except The Open Network for its messenger services.
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