Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov was arrested in France over the weekend, sparking a debate about the responsibility of tech platforms in regulating illegal content. Durov was detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on charges related to Telegram’s alleged facilitation of illegal activities, including fraud, money laundering, and the distribution of child exploitation material. French authorities accuse Durov of refusing to cooperate with an ongoing investigation.

While some have labeled Durov a “political prisoner,” French President Emmanuel Macron insists the arrest is purely judicial. Telegram, which has over 950 million users, maintains its compliance with EU law, asserting that Durov has "nothing to hide." The case highlights ongoing tensions between privacy, free speech, and online safety.