Telegram's Pavel Durov: From social media success to legal troubles in France

Pavel Durov, a prominent Russian-born tech entrepreneur, has been making waves in the tech world. Known for founding influential social networks and a cryptocurrency, Durov has amassed a multi-billion dollar fortune while navigating his way through confrontations with global authorities. Now, just shy of his 40th birthday, Durov's life has taken a dramatic turn. He is under arrest in France after being high-profilely detained at a Paris airport over the weekend.

The rise to fame

In his early 20s, Durov rose to considerable fame in Russia by launching VKontakte (VK), a social network for Russian-speaking users. VKontakte quickly overtook Facebook in the former USSR, capturing a significant market share.

Creation of Telegram

After a series of disputes with the Russian authorities and ownership disputes, Durov retired from VKontakte. He then founded Telegram, a messaging service that soon gained widespread popularity. However, Telegram was the subject of controversy, with critics accusing the service of insufficient control over extreme content.

A mysterious person

Despite his success, Durov remains a somewhat enigmatic figure. He rarely engages with the media and prefers to make cryptic statements on Telegram. His commitment to libertarian principles is evident in his staunch defense of privacy and encryption on the Internet.

Recent developments

Durov's recent legal troubles stem from allegations related to Telegram. He has a French arrest warrant against him for crimes he is said to have committed on the platform. The charges include fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime and promoting terrorism.

Important points

• The success of VKontakte: VKontakte, founded by Durov, became a leading social network in the former USSR.
• Controversies at Telegram: Telegram, while popular, has been criticized for its approach to content moderation.
• Libertarian beliefs: Durov's advocacy for data protection and encryption is a central aspect of his public persona.
• French legal issues: Durov is under investigation by the French cyber unit and the national anti-fraud office on several serious charges.

Durov's arrest marks a dramatic turn in his otherwise successful career. As the investigation continues, the tech world is watching closely to see how this latest chapter will unfold.