Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, was recently arrested in France on August 24, 2024, as part of an investigation related to criminal activities on the platform. French authorities detained Durov at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, reportedly due to allegations that Telegram has been used for illegal activities, including cybercrime and communication among criminal groups.

After spending several days in police custody, Durov was released on August 28, but the legal proceedings are ongoing. French judges are currently deciding whether to bring formal charges against him. This situation has sparked significant controversy, with many arguing that his arrest is part of a broader crackdown on free speech, given Telegram's role in providing encrypted communications that are difficult for governments to monitor.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between privacy, free speech, and security, with Durov's supporters asserting that Telegram's encryption features are essential for protecting users from authoritarian regimes