Telegram’s Durov Marks 1 Year Since Arrest Controversy

- Telegram CEO under investigation in France one year post-arrest. - Arrest sparks global debate on encryption and regulatory scrutiny. On August 24, 2024, the French National Judicial Police arrested Telegram CEO and co-founder Pavel Durov at Paris-Le Bourget Airport as part of an investigation. Durov faces 12 charges, including complicity in crimes such as fraud, drug trafficking, and cyberbullying. These charges stem from allegations that Telegram lacked sufficient moderation on its platform, and authorities require him to remain in France during the investigation. The case has seen little progress over the past year, and no trial is scheduled to date. In a June 2025 interview, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov clarified that he is not formally on trial but is required to appear before investigative judges, who will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for a trial to proceed. He expressed frustration over the imposed travel restrictions, describing them as "very strange and very unnecessary." However, in March 2025, a judge approved temporary travel allowances, and Durov is currently permitted to leave France for up to two weeks at a time, provided he notifies authorities in advance. The arrest has drawn backlash from free speech advocates worldwide. The TON Society, an organization supporting The Open Network derived from Telegram’s former blockchain project, condemned the arrest, describing it as a direct assault on a basic human right. Whistleblower Edward Snowden also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming the arrest was an effort to gain access to private communications. In September 2024, Durov stated that Telegram was willing to exit markets that do not align with its commitment to privacy. These legal challenges coincide with increased global scrutiny of encrypted messaging platforms. In the European Union, a proposed bill known as "Chat Control" is gaining momentum. If enacted, it would require platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to monitor all user communications for potential illicit content. Discussions around the bill could culminate in an EU Council vote on October 14, 2025. Durov has maintained that Telegram would rather withdraw from affected markets than compromise its privacy principles. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated measures against encrypted messengers, restricting calls on WhatsApp and Telegram and citing their alleged use in fraud and terrorism activities. Simultaneously, the government is promoting its state-backed messaging app, Max, which critics argue will enable enhanced surveillance. On August 24, 2025, Cointelegraph reported that Toncoin (TON), Telegram’s associated cryptocurrency, was trading at $3.33 at 15:08 UTC, with its 24-hour volume showing a -0.514% change.