Telegram CEO's Arrest: From Pavel Durov's Arrest To Telegram's Potential Ban In India, Here's What We Know So Far

The French authorities have levied several charges against Telegram and Pavel Durov including complicity in the distribution of child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris on August 25 over the allegations of failing to moderate illegal activities on the instant messaging platform. Since his arrest, Durov spent four days in custody and finally got released on a bail of 5 million euros. Durov has been instructed not to leave France till the legal proceedings are complete. Let us go over everything that happened in this episode and how India has reacted to this. 

What Do We Know About The Arrest?

Durov was detained by the French authorities as soon as he landed at the Le Bourget Airport. The French authorities have levied several charges including complicity in the distribution of child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraud. In simpler words, the charges have been levied for all crimes allegedly facilitated by the lack of moderation on Telegram.

These allegations indicate that while Telegram's encryption and privacy features are typically praised for safeguarding user information, they have also been exploited by criminals to avoid detection and engage in illicit activities. Further complicating matters for Durov is the claim that he has been uncooperative with law enforcement.

The seriousness of the situation became evident when Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport in France on August 25, immediately after disembarking from his private jet. His arrest, linked to an ongoing investigation, led to a 96-hour detention before he was released on a substantial 5 million euro bail. Although he is no longer in custody, Durov is subject to strict conditions, including remaining in France and reporting to the police twice a week. These stringent requirements highlight the gravity of the allegations and the significant scrutiny facing both Durov and his company.

Telegram has fiercely refuted all these allegations and has said that Durov has nothing to hide. It added that it is compliant with the EU laws. 

There are speculations being made about Durov's girlfriend Juli Vavilova's involvement in the arrest. There are rumours that she might be a secret MOSSAD agent.

How Did India React?

The seriousness of the matter did not just stay within the French borders but rather extended across the globe. The Indian government took notice of the arrest and initiated an investigation into Telegram. The IT Ministry urged the Home Ministry to investigate any pending complaints against Telegram, including the ones that were made regarding extortion and gambling. 

There are rumours that Telegram might get banned in India if the results of this investigation do not come out in its favour. This adds another layer of complications to the matter. 

As the legal saga progresses, the French courts will be closely watched to determine the case's trajectory and its potential implications for the future of technology regulation.