Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, faces arrest in France for lack of content moderation

From Cointelegraph

March 16, 2025 1:30:37 pm:

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was born on Oct. 10, 1984, in Russia, and started the social media platform VKontakte (VK) in 2006, similar to Facebook. He refused state censorship, leading to his ousting in 2014 before launching Telegram.

Telegram, founded by Pavel and his brother Nikolai in 2013, has over 950 million users worldwide. Its privacy features have made it popular, along with its decentralized web surfing and relationship with The Open Network.

Forbes estimates Pavel Durov’s net worth at $17.1 billion. In March 2024, he announced Telegram was nearing profitability and considering an IPO. Durov advocates for free speech and privacy, reflected in Telegram’s principles and values.

Pavel Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 due to lack of content moderation on Telegram and charged with complicity in illegal activities. The arrest sparked backlash from the crypto community and free speech advocates, accusing the French government of politically motivated censorship.

Durov posted bail and was released under the condition to stay in France during legal proceedings. He later left France for Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered. The incident raises concerns about freedom of speech and privacy in the digital age.

Read more at Cointelegraph: Pavel Durov’s rise to the top