Durov Faces 12 Charges as Telegram Stands Firm Against Content Scanning Demands

One year has passed since the arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO and co-founder of Telegram, at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Aug. 24, 2024. The arrest, carried out by the French National Judicial Police, came amid a preliminary investigation into alleged crimes facilitated by the messaging platform. Durov now faces 12 charges, including complicity in fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime, due to Telegram’s perceived lack of content moderation [1].

Durov expressed confusion and frustration about the case in public statements and interviews, and free speech advocates have strongly criticized the arrest as a threat to digital rights and platform development. In a September 2024 statement on Telegram, Durov said the company was “prepared to leave markets that aren’t compatible with our principles,” emphasizing Telegram’s compliance with EU laws such as the Digital Services Act [1]. The TON Society, an organization supporting the Open Network based on Telegram’s former blockchain project, described the arrest as “a direct assault on a basic human right” [1].

The legal process has moved slowly, with Durov’s first court appearance occurring in December 2024. In June 2025, he appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show, where he clarified that he is not currently on trial but must appear before investigative judges to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a formal trial. Durov called the requirement for him to remain in France “very strange and very unnecessary,” noting that court appearances are infrequent. He hopes the situation will be resolved or at least travel restrictions lifted within the next few months [1].

The arrest has also had personal consequences for Durov. In interviews, he revealed that his partner, Juli Vavilova, experienced a miscarriage due to the stress of the investigation [1].

Durov’s case has emerged amid a global trend of increasing regulation targeting encrypted messaging services. In the EU, Denmark—currently holding the European Council presidency—has proposed legislation requiring encrypted platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to scan all user content for signs of child sexual abuse. Known as “Chat Control” by critics, the bill has attracted support from 19 of 27 EU member states. However, it requires backing from at least 15 countries representing 65% of the EU population to pass [1].

Durov has made it clear that Telegram would rather exit markets than comply with such regulations. “We don’t trade privacy for market share,” he stated. The European Crypto Initiative has called for public engagement with EU regulators, signaling the growing pressure on policymakers to balance privacy with security [1].

Meanwhile, in Russia—Durov’s home country—the government has intensified its crackdown on encrypted messaging services. Telegram and WhatsApp have been banned over allegations of involvement in fraud and terrorism, alongside Facebook, Instagram, and X. In their place, the Russian government has promoted Max, a messaging app integrated with government services and peer-to-peer payments. Max has been criticized for potentially allowing authorities access to user data, including contact lists, IP addresses, and timestamps. Starting in September 2025, the app will come pre-installed on all new phones sold in Russia [1].

As the investigation into Durov continues, the broader implications of his case are becoming clear. Encrypted messengers globally face mounting pressure to compromise privacy, whether in authoritarian regimes or democracies grappling with legitimate concerns about child safety. Durov’s legal battle, while progressing slowly, will likely shape the future of how messaging platforms are regulated and how they evolve in the years ahead [1].

Source: [1] One year since Durov’s arrest: What’s happened and what’s ahead? (https://cointelegraph.com/news/one-year-pavel-durov-arrest-what-next?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound)