In a critical development, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been authorized to leave France for Dubai, marking a pivotal moment in his legal challenges following his August 2024 arrest. According to AFP, as reported by Cointelegraph on March 15, 2025, Durov’s departure ends an eight-month restriction imposed after French authorities detained him on charges related to Telegram’s content moderation practices.
According to reliable source, Cointelegraph’s coverage on X, Durov’s exit reflects progress in his legal proceedings, though neither he nor Telegram has issued public comments. Reports confirm that French authorities initiated the investigation in August 2024, charging him with twelve offenses, such as complicity in distributing illegal content and failing to cooperate with law enforcement, as detailed in Arrest and indictment of Pavel Durov.
The inquiry, unfolding with intensity, reveals that Durov faced allegations tied to Telegram’s privacy-first approach, which prioritizes encryption and user anonymity. Confirmed by the French National Judicial Police, these charges include facilitating child exploitation material, drug trafficking, and money laundering, as noted in French authorities statement on Durov’s detention.
Insiders reveal that Telegram’s minimal moderation—employing only 50 moderators for 950 million users—has drawn scrutiny, contrasting with platforms like Facebook, which uses 15,000 moderators, per Lawfare on Telegram’s moderation. Moreover, sources say Durov’s refusal to share user data, as stated in his September 2024 response, has fueled the legal conflict.
Historically, tech leaders like Durov have clashed with governments over data access, such as Twitter’s (now X) moderation battles. In the wake of his arrest, American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan remarked on X, “Durov’s ‘crime’ appears to be enabling free speech online,” as per Srinivasan’s X post. However, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified in August 2024, as reported by The Indian Express, that the arrest was not political, emphasizing legal accountability.
Durov, a citizen of Russia, France, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the UAE, has resided in Dubai since 2017, after leaving Russia due to data disputes, as per Durov’s move to Dubai. His multiple citizenships, detailed in Pavel Durov citizenship details, may bolster his strategic position, given Dubai’s business-friendly environment.
Furthermore, Telegram faces legal pressures elsewhere, such as South Korea’s probe into deepfake porn on the platform, as reported in Telegram probe in South Korea, and Brazil’s 2023 ban over neo-Nazi content, per Brazil bans Telegram.
Telegram’s connection to TON (The Open Network), a blockchain for crypto and DeFi, adds complexity, as noted in TON blockchain overview. With 950 million users, many crypto enthusiasts, Durov’s legal situation could impact TON’s ecosystem.
Authorities, as per French judicial updates, stress the urgent need to balance privacy with accountability. Durov argued, “Using laws from the pre-smartphone era to charge a CEO with crimes committed by third parties on the platform he manages is a misguided approach,” reinforcing tech community concerns.
In summary, Durov’s permission to leave France signals a key shift in his legal battle, with far-reaching implications for Telegram, cryptocurrency, and digital privacy. The bottom line is that as more details emerge, tech and crypto audiences should monitor ongoing coverage for deeper insights. Key takeaways include the interplay of free speech, regulation, and Telegram’s role in the crypto landscape.
Join our Telegram Channel