March 19, 2025, 04:00 AM PDT – Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder and CEO, has been permitted to leave France and return to Dubai, where he announced his arrival on March 17, 2025. The move follows his arrest in Paris and an ongoing French investigation into alleged illegal activities on the Telegram app.
Durov was detained in August 2024 at Le Bourget Airport on charges such as complicity in drug trafficking and child exploitation, per The New York Times. He was released on bail but restricted from leaving France until March 2025, as reported by AP News. On March 17, French judges lifted the travel ban, allowing him to return to Dubai until April 7, according to Reuters. Durov shared his return on Telegram, noting the investigation continues, as noted by TechCrunch.
Durov has maintained that Telegram complies with EU laws and removes millions of harmful posts daily, exceeding moderation standards, per The Guardian. He argued his arrest was unjust, asserting he isn’t responsible for user actions, as reported by The New York Post. The French investigation, ongoing since his arrest, examines Telegram’s role in facilitating illegal content, but no trial is scheduled, per AP News.
This case underscores debates over tech platform accountability and free speech. Durov’s return to Dubai, Telegram’s base, provides temporary respite, but the probe could affect the app’s operations and global reputation, as noted by BBC News. It may also influence how governments regulate messaging apps, with some viewing Durov’s situation as a precedent for tech leaders, per The Guardian.
What’s next? The investigation’s outcome could shape tech regulation worldwide. I’ll follow developments to assess its impact on Telegram, Durov, and the broader tech industry.
