The UAE Requests Consular Services for Telegram’s Pavel Durov Amid Arrest in France
The UAE has taken swift action in response to the arrest of Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of messaging platform Telegram, in France over allegations related to illegal content on the app. The Gulf state has requested consular services for Durov, who holds dual citizenship in the UAE and France, following his detention at the Paris–Le Bourget Airport.
French authorities extended Durov’s initial detention until Wednesday as investigations continue into the accusations against him. Despite the arrest, Durov’s company, Telegram, maintains that it complies with EU laws and industry standards for content moderation, emphasizing that platforms cannot be held accountable for the misuse of their services.
The situation has raised questions about the political motivations behind Durov’s arrest, as his fortune and international background come under scrutiny. Moscow has stated that it has not been informed of the specific allegations against Durov, adding to the complexity of the case.
As the story unfolds, the tech community is closely watching the developments surrounding one of the industry’s most prominent figures, whose legal battles may impact the future of digital platforms and online communication.