Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Arrest Linked to Sweeping Criminal Investigation

02.09.2024

On Monday, French prosecutors provided initial details in a press release regarding the investigation into Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who was unexpectedly detained on Saturday at Paris’ Le Bourget airport. Although Durov has not been formally charged, authorities stated that he is being held in connection with an investigation “against person unnamed” and can remain in police custody until Wednesday.

The investigation, which began on July 8, encompasses a broad array of allegations, including suspected money laundering, violations related to the import and export of encryption tools, failure to cooperate with law enforcement, and alleged “complicity” in drug trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography, among other charges.

Initiated by the “Section J3” cybercrime prosecutors, the investigation has involved collaboration with France’s Centre for the Fight against Cybercrime (C3N) and the Anti-Fraud National Office (ONAF), as stated in the press release. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau mentioned that Durov was questioned by investigators within this procedural context.

While Telegram has not responded to multiple inquiries regarding the investigation, the company asserted in a statement on its news channel on Sunday that Durov has “nothing to hide.”

Cannelle Lavite, a French lawyer specializing in free-speech issues, remarked that Durov’s arrest is not particularly surprising given the ongoing investigations in France concerning Telegram, especially those related to the protection of minors’ rights and cyber harassment. Lavite noted that Durov, a French citizen, was arrested on French soil under an arrest warrant issued by French judges. She described the charges as “extensive” and highlighted the complexities of France’s legislative framework in balancing content moderation with free speech.

Durov’s leadership of Telegram has sparked controversy, largely due to his resistance to moderating the platform’s content, which has simultaneously earned him a reputation as a defender of free speech and made Telegram a refuge for hate speech, criminal activity, and abuse. Although Telegram is often promoted as a secure communication tool, much of its content is publicly accessible.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, pointed out that Telegram is used more like a social network by most users, with few utilizing its end-to-end encryption features. He suggested that this gives Telegram a broad capability for content moderation and compliance with legal requests, placing Durov at the center of potential governmental pressure.

Moreover, some researchers have raised concerns about the robustness of Telegram’s end-to-end encryption when it is enabled by users.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on social media on Monday that “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication … The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil occurred as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision.”

However, Durov’s arrest has sparked worries that it could destabilize Telegram and undermine the platform. The case also seems likely to impact global discussions on social media moderation, governmental influence, and the use of privacy-preserving end-to-end encryption.

Lavite noted that the case touches on debates around “the balance between the right to encrypted communication and free speech on the one hand, and users’ protection—content moderation—on the other hand.” However, she emphasized that much remains unknown about the investigation, leaving “many blurred areas.”

By Monday afternoon, Telegram appeared to be gaining popularity as a result of the situation, climbing from 18th to 8th place in Apple’s US App Store rankings. Global iOS downloads rose by 4 percent, and in France, the app topped the App Store’s social network category and ranked third overall.