Pavel Durov Faces 12 Charges in France Over Platform Crimes

One year has passed since Pavel Durov, the CEO and co-founder of Telegram, was arrested at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on August 24, 2024. The arrest, carried out by the French National Judicial Police, marked the beginning of a protracted legal battle that has sparked intense debate about free speech, platform responsibility, and user privacy [1]. French authorities filed 12 charges against Durov, alleging that he was complicit in crimes committed by users on his platform, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime [1].

Durov has since spoken out, expressing confusion and frustration over the case. In a statement posted on Telegram in September 2024, he said the company was “prepared to leave markets that aren’t compatible with our principles,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to privacy and free speech [1]. His personal life was also affected, as he revealed that his partner, Juli Vavilova, experienced a miscarriage due to the stress of the ongoing investigation [1].

The legal process has moved at a slow pace. Durov’s first court appearance did not occur until December 2024, and as of now, he has not entered a trial. Instead, he has been appearing before investigative judges tasked with determining whether there is enough evidence to proceed [1]. Durov has criticized the current requirement to remain in France, calling it “very strange and very unnecessary,” as he is only required to appear in court every few months [1]. He has expressed hope that the situation will be resolved or that travel restrictions will be lifted within the next few months.

The TON Society, an organization behind the development of The Open Network, referred to Durov’s arrest as “a direct assault on a basic human right.” Notable figures, such as whistleblower Edward Snowden, have also weighed in, accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of “taking hostages for gaining access to private communications” [1].

Durov’s case is unfolding against a global backdrop of increasing pressure on encrypted messaging services. The European Council, currently chaired by Denmark, has proposed a bill known as the “Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse,” or “Chat Control,” which would require encrypted platforms to scan all user messages, photos, and videos [1]. The bill has received support from 19 out of 27 EU member states and needs backing from at least 15 states representing 65% of the EU’s population to pass. The European Crypto Initiative has called on citizens to engage with their members of European Parliament and has planned direct engagement with regulators in September [1].

In Russia, where Durov is from, the government has taken an even more aggressive stance. Authorities have banned WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing them of being used for fraud and terrorism. They have also banned Facebook, Instagram, and X. In response, the government has promoted Max, a messaging app that integrates government services and peer-to-peer payments, and is now pre-installed on new phones sold in Russia [1]. Max has been criticized for allegedly storing user data, including contact lists and metadata, and making it available to authorities.

Durov has made it clear that Telegram would rather exit a market than comply with regulations that violate its ethical principles regarding privacy. “Unlike some of our competitors, we don’t trade privacy for market share,” he said [1].

As the case against Durov continues to move slowly through the French legal system, it has highlighted a broader and increasingly urgent issue: the global struggle between user privacy and government regulation. The outcome of the case will likely have far-reaching implications for how encrypted messaging platforms are developed and regulated in the future.

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[1] One year Pavel Durov arrest what next (https://cointelegraph.com/news/one-year-pavel-durov-arrest-what-next)