Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, has been formally charged in France with serious criminal offenses.
The charges include being involved in the storage and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), facilitating drug trafficking, and engaging in organized fraud.
Durov was arrested on August 24, 2024, upon his arrival in France. Although he was released on bail, he is not allowed to leave the country and must report to the police twice a week.
In France, being formally investigated is a crucial step toward bringing a case to trial. However, it does not guarantee that the case will reach court.
The charges against Durov are linked to allegations that Telegram, under his leadership, enabled illegal activities. These include the distribution of CSAM, drug trafficking, and other crimes, due to the platform’s limited content moderation and refusal to assist law enforcement.
The investigation into Telegram intensified after the company failed to cooperate with French authorities in identifying a suspect involved in a separate CSAM case.
Telegram’s management practices have also come under scrutiny, particularly the platform’s inadequate moderation efforts. Despite having 950 million monthly active users, Telegram reportedly employs only 30 engineers to oversee the app.
Durov is also facing charges related to money laundering. These charges may be connected to Telegram’s cryptocurrency features and its failure to comply with “Know Your Customer” regulations.
The investigation is expected to continue for several months, possibly over a year, during which Durov must remain in France.
