Telegram CEO Durov Granted Two-Week Travel Permission by French Court

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been granted permission by a French court to leave the country for a two-week period, allowing him to travel to Dubai. This decision, effective from July 10, marks the second instance where Durov has been granted temporary relief from a strict judicial supervision order following his arrest in August 2024.

Durov's clearance to travel comes after French authorities denied a similar request in May, when he was scheduled to speak at the Oslo Freedom Forum. Unable to attend in person, Durov delivered his keynote speech remotely. The Human Rights Foundation, which hosts the forum, had criticized the travel restriction, viewing it as a broader signal of pressure on tech entrepreneurs facing legal scrutiny.

Durov's legal battle began last August when he was arrested at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. He was later indicted on charges tied to a wider French investigation into Telegram’s alleged role in facilitating criminal activity. Authorities argue that the app’s lack of content moderation, combined with its support for encrypted communication, disposable phone numbers, and crypto payments, has created a fertile ground for illicit activity.

Released on a €5 million bail, Durov remains under judicial supervision. He must report to police twice a week and get prior approval to leave France. Although limited, the temporary approval to travel to Dubai is seen as a rare concession. The case continues to raise difficult questions about platform accountability, user privacy, and free expression.

The case has attracted global attention from privacy advocates and the tech industry. Notably, figures like Edward Snowden and Elon Musk have criticized French authorities, calling the move an overreach. Since Durov’s arrest, Telegram has changed how it handles illegal content. As a result, the platform now warns users about the risks of sharing prohibited material. If they do, their IP addresses and phone numbers could be passed to authorities. This marks a significant shift from Telegram’s earlier, more privacy-focused approach.

Meanwhile, the episode has reignited interest in The Open Network, a blockchain project initially launched by Telegram under Durov’s leadership. Although TON was abandoned in 2020 due to pressure from the US SEC, it continues to operate as a separate ecosystem backed by the crypto community. Supporters now see Durov’s legal battle as a broader test for decentralized platforms. They are watching closely to see how far developers can be held responsible for how their technologies are used.