Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget airport upon arrival from Azerbaijan, with accusations of negligence regarding illegal activities on the platform, including drug trafficking and child exploitation. Telegram has defended Durov, stating that he has nothing to hide and that the company complies with EU laws, while awaiting a resolution to the situation. The Russian embassy in Paris has criticized the arrest, claiming French authorities are not cooperating and calling for consular access. Durov’s arrest has ignited discussions about the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating user-generated content. Some commentators suggest that the U.S. State Department may have influenced the arrest, given Telegram's previous role in political movements. Durov has previously resisted demands from authorities to increase content moderation on the platform, which he claims is essential for protecting free speech.