Pavel Durov first burst onto the tech scene as the founder of VKontakte (VK), often dubbed “Russia’s Facebook,” which quickly amassed hundreds of millions of users. He drew early praise for his refusal to hand over user data to Russian authorities and opposition groups—an act that would eventually force him out of the company he built. In 2014, after pressure from Kremlin-linked shareholders, Durov sold his stake and left Russia, describing the move as both painful and inevitable.
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Rather than retiring, Durov channeled his ideals into founding Telegram in 2013 with his brother Nikolai. The platform’s strong privacy stance, encrypted messaging, and resistance to censorship won it a global following now nearing a billion users. With connections to blockchain projects and a libertarian philosophy, Durov has become a polarizing tech icon—praised as a defender of free speech by supporters, condemned by critics for Telegram’s use in illicit content sharing.
In August 2024, he was arrested in Paris amid an investigation into allegations around Telegram’s content moderation, including charges related to child exploitation and drug trafficking. Freed on €5 million bail, he remains under judicial supervision with travel restrictions, though he was briefly allowed to return to Dubai. Durov has publicly rejected the charges as unfair, asserting that Telegram complies with EU regulations and has taken steps to address misuse.
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Now a citizen of Russia, UAE, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and France, Durov continues to lead Telegram while advocating for digital freedoms. His recent interview has highlighted both his ongoing legal constraints and his vision for a censorship-resistant future. Regardless of the controversy, Durov’s legacy remains powerful: a complex blend of technological innovation, ideological conviction, and global legal battles, all rooted in one man’s quest to protect privacy in the digital age.
