Who is Pavel Durov, the Russian Billionaire and Founder of Telegram, Recently Detained in France?

 He was reportedly the target of a search warrant, with French news outlets suggesting that the investigation centers on the lack of moderators on the encrypted messaging app and the potential criminal activities of its users.

Telegram, one of the most downloaded apps globally, is the brainchild of Pavel Durov, a man often referred to as "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg." But who is he, and how does his app work?

'Russia's Mark Zuckerberg'

Born in Russia, Pavel Durov is the founder and owner of Telegram, a free messaging app that rivals platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and TikTok. With an estimated fortune of $15.5 billion (£11.7 billion), according to Forbes, Durov ranks as the 120th richest person in the world.

Durov, now 39, left Russia in 2014, a year after launching Telegram, following his refusal to comply with government orders to shut down opposition groups on VKontakte—a social media platform he co-founded with his brother, which was later sold. In 2017, he relocated to Dubai and acquired French citizenship in August 2021. Reports also indicate that Durov holds citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation.

Telegram's Rise and Scrutiny

Telegram has become an influential platform in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. However, in 2018, Russia began blocking the app after Telegram refused to grant state security services access to its users' encrypted messages. This move sparked protests in Moscow and drew criticism from NGOs.

As Telegram's popularity surged—reaching over 700 million active monthly users in 2023 and aiming for 1 billion within a year—it has faced increasing scrutiny from several European countries, including France, over security and data privacy concerns.

Telegram's official stance is a commitment to protecting user privacy and supporting human rights like freedom of speech and assembly. The app has played a significant role in pro-democracy movements worldwide, including in Iran, Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and Hong Kong.

Durov is also known for his minimalist style, often dressing in black, reminiscent of Neo from "The Matrix" film series. Additionally, he has reportedly helped over 100 couples in 12 countries have children as a sperm donor.

In the wake of his detention, supporters in Moscow have placed paper planes—symbolizing Telegram—near the French embassy to show solidarity. Speaking in April about his decision to leave Russia, Durov told controversial U.S. media personality Tucker Carlson, "I'd rather be free than take orders from anyone."