Telegram’s billionaire founder Pavel Durov has faced legal woes before -- in Russia and France
Summary
Pavel Durov is the billionaire founder and CEO of Telegram, a popular messaging app with over 1 billion users. Russia’s security agency, the FSB, accused him of helping terrorism and put him on international wanted lists, continuing long-standing conflicts between Durov and the Kremlin over internet control and free speech.Key Facts
- Pavel Durov was born in Russia and holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
- He founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network, in 2006 but sold his stake after pressure from the government.
- In 2013, Durov and his brother launched Telegram and he left Russia in 2014 to live in Dubai.
- Telegram allows private and group messaging, with group chats supporting up to 200,000 members.
- The app offers optional end-to-end encryption for private chats but not for groups.
- Durov opposes government restrictions and promotes Telegram as a platform for free speech and privacy.
- Russian authorities accuse him of aiding terrorism amid efforts to tighten internet control before elections.
- Durov has a net worth of $6.6 billion and has publicly promoted fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
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