In August 2024, news broke that Telegram founder Pavel Durov had been detained in France on allegations that the messaging app was being used to coordinate criminal activity. For such a well-known tech entrepreneur and outspoken advocate of internet freedom, the case came as a sudden and serious challenge. A year later, Durov has spoken in detail about what happened, offering his perspective on the events.
Durov’s central argument is that his detention was the result of a mistake by the French police. According to him, until August 2024, French authorities failed to follow the legal procedures required for working with Telegram. Instead of submitting official requests through the established legal framework, law enforcement essentially ignored both French and EU law. This, in Durov’s view, led to false accusations against him personally and against the company.
Lack of Evidence of Wrongdoing
A recurring theme in Durov’s statements is the absence of any evidence of his guilt or of misconduct by Telegram. Despite an investigation that has dragged on for a year, none of the allegations were substantiated. Durov insists that Telegram’s content moderation policies meet international standards and that the company has always complied with legitimate requests from French authorities.
As a public advocate for privacy and freedom of speech, Durov argues that holding a platform’s technical director responsible for the actions of independent users is both legally and logically absurd. He emphasizes that Telegram is merely a communications tool and that accountability for illegal activity rests with the users themselves—not the platform.
Consequences for France’s Image
Another point Durov raises is the reputational damage to France, a country that presents itself as a defender of freedom and democracy. He argues that the arrest and prolonged legal battle have seriously undermined France’s credibility on the global stage.
Durov points out that the French authorities had ample opportunity to learn the proper legal process for engaging with Telegram but failed to do so. In his view, this neglect triggered the entire situation, raising doubts about France’s commitment to fairness and the rule of law.
Current Situation and Outlook
A year after his detention, Durov is still required to travel to France every 14 days to report to authorities. Despite the lengthy proceedings, no date has yet been set for an appeals hearing—something Durov believes highlights the drawn-out and unjust nature of the case.
Nevertheless, he remains confident that the fight for justice will continue and that the eventual outcome will be positive for both him and Telegram. He stresses that this case illustrates how tech companies and their leaders can face unfair treatment from governments due to misunderstandings of the legal and technical aspects of their operations.
Durov’s stance on the charges in France is clear and firmly grounded in his interpretation of the legal and factual circumstances. He rejects any suggestion of wrongdoing by himself or by Telegram, attributes the accusations to a police error, and criticizes the prolonged process that, in his words, harms not only him personally but also France’s international image. At the same time, he remains determined to defend his innocence and his platform’s rights—highlighting the broader challenges faced by tech leaders in an era of growing scrutiny and regulation of digital platforms.
