Telegram Founder Durov Calls French Probe Legally Absurd

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has reiterated his stance that the French judicial investigation into his platform is baseless and has criticized the French government for its handling of the case. In a public statement shared via Telegram on August 24, 2025, Durov described the situation as “legally and logically absurd” and argued that holding a tech CEO responsible for the actions of independent users sets a dangerous precedent. He emphasized that Telegram has consistently responded to all legally binding requests from French authorities and that its content moderation practices align with industry standards [1].

The criminal investigation, which has been ongoing for over a year, centers on allegations that Telegram has facilitated harmful content and organized crime. Durov was initially restricted from leaving France after his arrest last month but was later allowed to travel to Dubai under strict conditions. He must return to France every two weeks and is not permitted to travel beyond Dubai without prior judicial approval. Durov has called the case a “weird detention” and expressed concern that it has caused “irreparable damage” to France’s reputation as a free country [1].

His legal troubles began intensifying after French authorities began scrutinizing Telegram’s content moderation policies, leading to a high-profile arrest and widespread backlash from the crypto and free speech communities. Many have criticized the French government for attempting to pressure Durov into imposing greater censorship on the platform. French President Emmanuel Macron previously dismissed any political motivation behind the arrest, stating that freedoms must be balanced within a legal framework. However, this defense drew sharp criticism, including from business leaders who questioned the logic of holding an individual accountable for all crime in the country [1].

Durov has remained vocal about the need to protect user privacy and has reaffirmed that Telegram will not share encryption keys or create backdoors under any circumstances. He has also reiterated his commitment to removing harmful content daily and working with NGOs to ensure responsible platform management. Despite these efforts, the case has highlighted the growing tension between governments and tech platforms over the regulation of user-generated content. As global authorities continue to tighten oversight of online services, the legal battle involving Durov and Telegram has become emblematic of the broader debate over digital sovereignty and free expression [1].

The case has also raised questions about potential implications for Telegram’s blockchain projects. The platform's integration with The Open Network (TON), a blockchain system built to support peer-to-peer payments and decentralized applications, has gained traction in the Web3 space. Toncoin, the native token of TON, currently ranks as the world’s 21st largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, according to price data. The token has attracted attention from companies like Verb Technology, which plans to rebrand as Ton Strategy Company and holds over 8% of the token’s circulating supply. User activity on TON surged in the weeks following Durov’s arrest but has since declined [1].

As the legal proceedings continue, Durov remains a vocal critic of the French government’s approach. His earlier public statements in September 2024 highlighted frustrations over what he described as French officials bypassing official EU channels and directly interrogating him without adhering to international legal norms. With no appeal date yet set, the outcome of the case remains uncertain, but it has already sparked a broader conversation about the boundaries of legal accountability in the digital age [1].

Source: [1] Crypto News (Telegram Pavel Durov French Case Legally Absurd) (https://crypto.news/telegram-pavel-durov-french-case-legally-absurd/)