Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

The founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, was once again questioned by French magistrates this Monday. He is being investigated over claims that his app may have played a role in helping criminals carry out illegal activities.
This was the third time Durov faced French investigators since he was first detained in 2024. The 40-year-old tech billionaire, who was born in Russia and now holds both French and Russian citizenship, arrived at the Paris courthouse early Monday morning, accompanied by four of his lawyers. The entire day was spent discussing the serious accusations against him.

Why Is Pavel Durov in Trouble?

French authorities say that Telegram has been used by criminals for:

• Illegal money transactions
• Sharing child abuse content

Other unlawful online activities

These are very serious crimes. Durov, however, says he has nothing to do with these illegal acts. He explained that he did not create Telegram for bad people to use, and he is working to improve how the app is monitored.
His lawyers said that Monday’s questioning was a chance for Durov to give clear explanations. They believe the accusations have no real value and say the investigation is unfair and not based on proper evidence.

What Is Telegram and Why Is It Being Watched?

Telegram is a messaging app that lets people send texts, videos, and pictures, similar to WhatsApp or Signal. It became very popular because it offers high privacy, with secret chats and encrypted messages. This means messages are hard to trace or read by others, even by governments.
However, this strong privacy has made Telegram a tool for criminals. Some people use it to trade drugs, sell stolen goods, or share harmful content. French investigators believe Telegram hasn’t done enough to stop these bad activities, which is why they are now investigating its founder directly.

Durov’s Past Troubles

Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris in 2024 and placed under formal investigation. At first, he wasn’t even allowed to leave France. But in July 2025, the French court decided to let him travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for short stays of up to two weeks at a time.
During his earlier questioning in December 2024, Durov admitted that there were growing numbers of criminals using Telegram, but he promised to take strong action to clean up the platform. Since then, French authorities say that Telegram has improved its cooperation, which means the company is now more open to helping with criminal investigations.

Legal Battle Continues

Durov’s legal team has now filed papers asking the Paris Appeals Court to drop all charges. They also claim that some of the steps taken by investigators were not legal, either under French law or European law.

In a strong statement, his lawyers said:
“We strongly challenge the legality of the charges against our client. Many of the steps taken during the investigation were done in ways that break both domestic and European laws.”

They have even launched a constitutional challenge in France, which means they want the French court to check whether this case is even allowed under the country’s constitution. Alongside this, they have asked the European Union’s top court to give an official ruling on some parts of the case.

A Bigger Debate: Freedom vs Safety

This case is not just about one man. It raises a big question for the whole world:
How much privacy should people have online, and how do we stop criminals from misusing that privacy?
Apps like Telegram give people a safe space to talk, especially in countries where governments watch citizens too closely. But when bad people use these apps to hurt others, it becomes a serious problem.
Durov has always supported freedom of speech and privacy online. In the past, he has said that people must be able to speak freely without fear. But now, he must prove that he can balance freedom with responsibility.

What Happens Next?

The investigation is still going on. Durov may face more questioning in the coming months. The courts will decide if the charges against him should move forward or if the case should be dropped entirely.
Meanwhile, Telegram continues to grow in users, especially in countries where people do not trust traditional media or government control. The company now faces international pressure to keep its platform clean and make sure it is not being used by criminals.

Who Is Pavel Durov?

• Born in Russia, now holds Russian and French passports
• Created Telegram in 2013
• Known as the "Mark Zuckerberg of Russia"
• Previously founded the Russian social media site VK
• Left Russia in 2014 after clashing with the Russian government
• Lives mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

He is known for refusing government censorship and protecting users’ digital privacy. But now, he is in the middle of a legal storm that might change the way messaging apps work in the future.

Pavel Durov’s court case in France is a big moment for internet freedom and digital safety. He says he is innocent and that he is doing all he can to fix the problems on Telegram. But for now, the investigation continues, and the world is watching closely.
Will Durov clear his name, or will this case change the future of online messaging forever?
Stay tuned.