Overview
- Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, announced his return to Dubai after spending several months in France under investigation for alleged criminal activity on his messaging platform.
- French authorities charged Durov last year with complicity in crimes on Telegram, including child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, following his arrest near a Paris airport.
- Durov was released on $5.6 million bail and had been barred from leaving France, with a requirement to report to a police station twice weekly.
- In a Telegram post, Durov defended his company’s moderation efforts, stating that Telegram has consistently exceeded its legal obligations in combating criminal activity.
- The investigation highlights growing scrutiny of encrypted platforms like Telegram, which are lauded for their role in global activism but criticized for misuse by extremist groups and criminals.