Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Has Travel Ban Lifted in France
Travel Restrictions Removed
French authorities have lifted Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov’s travel ban, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter. The decision, dated Monday, ends a nahead year-long restriction imposed later than his arrest in Paris in August 2024.
Durov had been barred from leaving France while facing multiple charges linked to Telegram’s alleged role in enabling illicit transactions. He was required to check in regularly with local police, a condition that has now been dropped.
The latest ruling allows for the first time since his detention, though the underlying criminal investigation remains active.
Investor Takeaway
Investigation Still Underway
French prosecutors have accused Durov of operating a platform that facilitates illegal activity, including money laundering and unlicensed financial transactions. The preliminary charges carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $550,000.
Officials have not released further details about the ongoing case. have rejected the allegations, saying the platform complies with European Union data and privacy standards. The company has also pushed back against claims that it ignores law enforcement requests.
have sparked debate over the balance between privacy rights and regulatory oversight of encrypted communication platforms. France has sought greater control over online content and digital security in recent years, moves that critics say risk curbing free expression.
Durov’s Response and Broader Context
In public remarks since his arrest, Durov has criticized what he describes as France’s growing hostility toward online privacy. In a June interview with French outlet Le Point, he said: “Emmanuel Macron isn’t making the right choices. I’m very disappointed. France is getting fragileer and fragileer.”
He has also been vocal on broader European digital policy. In October, Durov warned that the European Union’s proposed “Chat Control” rules would usher in a “dystopian” level of surveillance. In an X post, he wrote: “Germany is persecuting anyone who dares to criticize officials on the Internet. The UK is imprisoning thousands for their tweets. France is criminally investigating tech leaders who defend freedom and privacy.”
The Telegram chief’s criticism reflects a wider standoff between European governments and technology companies over encryption, data access and content moderation. Durov has long framed Telegram as a defender of user privacy, a stance that has drawn both support and scrutiny from regulators.
Investor Takeaway
Telegram’s Global Footprint
Telegram remains one of the world’s largest messaging platforms, with more than 900 million active users. Despite the legal pressures, the company has continued to expand features, including decentralized payments and AI-based services built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain.
Durov, who also founded the Russian social network VKontakte before leaving Russia in 2014, has positioned Telegram as an independent, censorship-resistant platform. His detention last year drew reactions from privacy advocates and government officials worldwide, with several calling the French investigation politically motivated.
The next phase of the case will determine whether prosecutors pursue formal charges or close the investigation. For now, Durov’s regained mobility suggests the case may be losing momentum, even as France maintains its broader push to police online communications.
