Telegram has publicly criticized the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, at Paris’ Bourget Airport, calling the charges against him “groundless.” In a statement issued on Monday, the messaging platform, headquartered in Dubai, defended its adherence to EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and asserted that its content moderation is “up to industry standards and continually evolving.”
The company highlighted that Durov, who often travels throughout Europe, is committed to transparency and that it is “inappropriate to hold a platform or its leadership accountable for user-generated content.” Telegram expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved swiftly and justly.
Durov’s detention occurred on Saturday as he arrived from Azerbaijan on his private jet. The French authorities are investigating whether Telegram’s content moderation has facilitated serious crimes like terrorism and trafficking. Although no formal charges have been filed, the extension of Durov’s detention suggests a rigorous investigation.
The arrest has ignited a broader debate about the intersection of free speech, privacy, and online content regulation. Critics argue that attributing responsibility for user behavior to platform operators could undermine internet freedoms, while others see it as an urgent call for tighter content control on digital platforms.
Durov, whose wealth is estimated at $15.5 billion by Forbes, holds dual citizenship with France and the United Arab Emirates, but is originally from Russia. He left Russia in 2014 after disputes over the censorship of his previous social media platform, VKontakte, led to his removal from the company.
With nearly 1 billion users, Telegram wields considerable influence in regions such as Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. Earlier this year, Durov remarked on efforts by various governments to sway Telegram’s operations but reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the platform neutral and uninvolved in geopolitical conflicts.
