Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Detained; Messaging App Says it Abides by EU Laws

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, 39, was detained at Le Bourget on Saturday, Aug. 24, on suspicion of failing to take steps to prevent criminal use of Telegram, according to Agence France-Presse. According to Bloomberg, initially, his detention was extended by 24 hours late Sunday, Aug. 25.

Aftermath, the messaging app company released a statement through X (Formerly known as Twitter) saying the company abided by European Laws, including the Digital Services Act. The company expressed support to its CEO and believed that Durov had “nothing to hide.”

“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” wrote in a tweet. “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”

⚖️ Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving.

✈️ Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe.

😵‍💫 It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner…

— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) August 25, 2024

According to the company, Telegram CEO lives in Dubai and is a citizen of France and the United Arab Emirates. No confirmation whether he has renounced his Russian citizenship.