In a dramatic turn of events on August 28, Pavel Durov, the mastermind behind the Telegram messaging app, found himself at the centre of a legal storm.
According to the Straits Times, the French authorities charged the 39-year-old tech mogul with a series of violations linked to his platform and placed him under a travel ban, though he was allowed to roam freely after a four-day detention.
Pavel Durov, tech billionaire with over 100 children
Durov, a Russian native, faced charges for allegedly failing to rein in extremist and illegal content on Telegram. His arrest at Le Bourget airport near Paris on August 24 was followed by days of intense questioning. Despite the gravity of the situation, Durov was released on bail, set at a staggering €5 million, with the stipulation that he must check in with the police twice weekly and remain in France.
The charges against Durov are numerous and serious, including complicity in enabling illicit transactions through an online platform, refusal to share critical documents with authorities, dissemination of child pornography images, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. His legal team vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that Telegram adheres to all European digital regulations.
Adding to the complexity, Durov is also under investigation for alleged acts of violence against one of his children during a visit to Paris.
Durov’s journey from a young entrepreneur to a tech titan began with Vkontakte (VK), a social media platform he launched in 2006. VK’s rapid rise as Russia’s Facebook earned him comparisons to Mark Zuckerberg. However, Durov’s refusal to bow to Kremlin pressure during the Ukrainian protests in 2013 led to his resignation and eventual departure from Russia.
Never about wealth but freedom
“For me, it was never about becoming rich. Everything in my life was about becoming free. To the extent that is possible, my mission in life is to allow other people to become free,” Durov said.
“I don’t want to take orders from anyone.”
Known for his commitment to freedom, Durov has lived a borderless life, leveraging his estimated $9.15 billion fortune and multiple passports to champion the cause of free communication. In a CNN report, his recent revelation about fathering over 100 children through sperm donations underscores his unconventional approach to life and liberty.
As the Telegram founder navigates the complexities of the French legal system, the world watches closely, wondering how this saga will unfold for a man who has dedicated his life to breaking barriers and ensuring the freedom of speech in the digital age.
