Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire and founder of the messaging app Telegram, has been arrested in France as part of an investigation into criminal activities on his platform.
Durov, a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, was detained at Paris-Le Bourget Airport after arriving from Azerbaijan. French authorities allege that Telegram has been used for illicit activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse images.Durov’s arrest has sparked international interest, given his multiple nationalities.
He holds citizenship in France, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and St. Kitts and Nevis, raising questions about potential diplomatic responses.
Telegram, in a statement, asserted that it complies with EU laws and is continuously improving its content moderation.
This development has put a spotlight on Telegram’s vast user base and the potential for misuse on its platform.
The app’s large group chat capacity, accommodating up to 200,000 people, has been a particular point of concern among experts warning of misinformation spread. The arrest marks a significant escalation in scrutiny over the popular messaging service and its billionaire founder.
SMH