Pavel Durov Responds to Arrest, Defends Telegram's Privacy Stance

Telegram CEO Breaks Silence After Detention

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has spoken out for the first time following his arrest in Paris last week. In a message shared on his Telegram channel, Durov detailed his experience, stating that he was held for four days during which he was questioned by French authorities.

According to Durov, the authorities suggested that he might be held personally accountable for the illegal activities of Telegram users, citing the platform's failure to respond to official inquiries. Durov emphasized that neither he nor the company’s European contact point had received any warnings or notifications from the French government about these issues prior to his arrest.

Durov's History with French Authorities

Durov expressed his surprise, noting that he had been a frequent visitor to the French consulate in Dubai and had previously assisted the French government in setting up a hotline to counter terrorism. “I’ve always been open to helping where I can,” Durov stated. He added that this sudden turn of events, including his subsequent indictment, was unexpected.

While released from police custody, Durov has been ordered to remain in France. However, in his recent statement, he did not clarify if he was still in the country.

Charges Against Durov

The charges against Durov include complicity in the distribution of narcotic substances and child pornography via the Telegram platform. The French authorities have accused him of not assisting in their investigations, an allegation Durov firmly denies. An investigation into Telegram’s activities was launched earlier in July, and reports have suggested that French authorities may also be pursuing an arrest warrant for Durov’s brother, Nikolai.

Durov has long held a firm stance on privacy and freedom of speech, positioning Telegram as a platform that defends user rights. He acknowledged that the company has faced challenges in balancing security with privacy but reiterated that in situations where countries demand surveillance or censorship, Telegram is willing to exit those markets.

“We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again,” Durov asserted, pointing to previous instances where Telegram refused to comply with governmental requests. For example, when Russia demanded access to encryption keys, the company declined and faced a ban. Similarly, Telegram was banned in Iran after refusing to block channels used by peaceful protesters.

Durov concluded by emphasizing that Telegram’s mission goes beyond making money. “We are here to protect basic human rights, especially in regions where those rights are under threat,” he stated.