Paweł Durow, the founder of the popular Telegram app, was at the centre of attention not only due to his achievements, but besides due to his fresh arrest in France. Although he was released from custody after 4 days, his detention sparked a wave of outrage, especially in Russia. Was it just a legal incidental or a politically motivated act? It is worth taking a closer look at the character Durov, his past and the controversy surrounding him.
From InContact to Telegram: The Way to Success
Paweł Durow was born in 1984 in the russian Union, and his childhood was changed in Russia and Italy. Upon returning to Russia, in 2006, Durow founded the WContakta platform, known more broadly as the Russian equivalent of Facebook. It was already compared to Mark Zuckerberg, which only fueled his interest.
In 2013, after a series of conflicts with the Russian authorities, Durow decided to leave the country and focus on developing the Telegram – an application that would become 1 of the most crucial communication tools in the world. With its uncompromising approach to the privacy of users, The telegram rapidly gained popularity, especially among those who value safety and anonymity.
Telegram as Virtual conflict Field
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, The telegram became the main platform for sharing information from the front, frequently unfiltered and controversial. The application was utilized by both the Ukrainian and Russian government, which gave it the position of "virtual battlefield". The telegram has become a propaganda tool, but besides a origin of information for millions of people around the world.
Arrest and Reactions
In August 2024, Durow was detained at Le Bourget Airport close Paris, which had to do with allegations that Telegram was being utilized for illegal activities. The French authorities have accused him of not cooperating with law enforcement, which became an excuse for his arrest. After 4 days, as a consequence of a judicial investigation, he was released, but his case inactive raises quite a few controversy.
The Russian authorities immediately reacted to the arrest, calling it "politically motivated" and pointing to double Western standards on freedom of speech. However, these accusations seem paradoxical, given that even a fewer years ago the Russian government tried unsuccessfully to block the Telegram in the country.
Paul Durow as Father 100 Children
However, this is not the end of Paul Durov's controversy. In July 2024, a businessman revealed that he has been a sperm donor for 15 years and is the biological father of over 100 children in 12 different countries. This information has caused widespread surprise, especially since Durow is known for being never married and prefers to live alone. As he claims, it all began by wanting to aid a friend and his wife in the possession of a child. Later, inspired by his first success, he decided to permanently registry as a sperm donor.
The future of Paul Durov and his function in the Telegram remains uncertain. His arrest, albeit short-lived, casts a shadow on the further action of the application, peculiarly in the context of global conflicts and privacy issues. 1 thing is certain – Durow continues to surprise, both his business activity and his private life.
Continued here:
Paweł Durow – Head of Telegram released from custody
