Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has left France and returned to Dubai after authorities eased his travel restrictions. His departure comes as he remains under investigation for failing to prevent illegal activities on the messaging app. His legal troubles have sparked global debates over tech companies’ responsibility in moderating criminal content.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
French authorities arrested Pavel Durov, 40, at Le Bourget airport near Paris in August 2024. He was placed under formal investigation and faced strict conditions, including a travel ban and mandatory police check-ins twice a week. His bail was set at €5 million. The charges against him include failing to moderate illegal content, such as child exploitation materials, drug trafficking, and online scams.
Despite these restrictions, a French judge ruled in March 2025 that Durov could leave France temporarily between March 15 and April 7. Taking advantage of this decision, Durov flew to Dubai on Saturday. He later expressed relief on Telegram, thanking investigators, his legal team, and his supporters for standing by him during the ordeal.
Telegram’s Moderation Efforts
Since his arrest, Telegram has taken significant steps to address concerns about illegal content on its platform. The company reported blocking over 6.1 million groups and channels in 2025 alone. These include 160,000 channels related to child abuse materials and 57,000 linked to terrorism.
Durov, known for his strong stance on free speech and privacy, initially criticized French authorities for what he called a “lack of communication” about illegal activities on Telegram. However, after facing legal scrutiny, he acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. He also pledged to work with regulators to improve content moderation while preserving user privacy.
Political and Industry Reactions
Durov’s legal battle has drawn international attention. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned France’s actions, calling them “selective persecution” of tech leaders. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron defended granting Durov French nationality in 2021, emphasizing his contributions to the global tech industry.
Elon Musk also joined the debate, using the hashtag #FreePavel on X (formerly Twitter) to express his support for Durov. Many tech experts see the case as a test of how far governments can hold tech executives accountable for content shared on their platforms.
Implications for the Future
Despite being allowed to leave France temporarily, Durov’s legal troubles are far from over. The investigation remains ongoing, and he may face further legal consequences depending on the case’s outcome. His situation highlights the growing pressure on tech companies to regulate content while balancing user privacy and free speech.
As debates continue, this case could set a precedent for how governments worldwide handle the responsibility of tech executives in moderating online content.