Uncertainty Surrounds Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's Detention in France

The situation involving Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, remains shrouded in mystery as it is still unclear whether he has been officially arrested or charged. French authorities are set to release a statement on Monday, August 26, addressing Durov's detention, which reportedly occurred on August 24 at an airport near Paris.

Durov, a vocal and influential figure in the tech world, was allegedly detained by French authorities amidst rumors of charges linked to Telegram's content moderation policies. However, as of August 25, there has been no official confirmation of his arrest or any formal charges.

The Washington Post reported that Parisian authorities have confirmed Durov's detention and that more information will be forthcoming. In the meantime, the Russian embassy has sought clarification from French officials and requested access to Durov. The embassy noted, through a Telegram post on August 25, that French authorities have yet to cooperate fully on this matter.

The impact of Durov’s detention has reverberated through various communities, particularly within the cryptocurrency space. According to Cointelegraph, the value of the TON cryptocurrency has fallen by over 12% since the news broke. Conversely, support for Durov has surged, with social media flooded with messages advocating for his release. Even prominent figures like Elon Musk have joined the chorus, using the hashtag #FreeDurov and sharing supportive content on his platform, X.

In response to the situation, Telegram released an official statement on August 25, emphasizing the platform's adherence to EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act. The statement highlighted that Telegram's moderation practices are in line with industry standards and that Durov, who frequently travels within Europe, has nothing to hide. Telegram expressed confidence in a swift resolution, reiterating its commitment to its global user base of nearly a billion people.