Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of messaging app, Telegram, has been granted temporary permission to leave France as a criminal probe into illegal activities on the messaging platform intensifies. French authorities suspended the travel restrictions placed on Durov, allowing him to return to Dubai while the investigation remains active.
Durov Returns to Dubai Amid Ongoing French Criminal Investigation
In a recent Telegram post, Durov confirmed his return to Dubai after months of being held in France due to the investigation. He reportedly departed from Le Bourget Airport near Paris earlier today.
“I’ve finally returned home to Dubai after several challenging months in France, where I was tied up in an investigation concerning criminal activities on Telegram,” Durov shared with his followers. “While the process is still ongoing, I’m grateful to be back. I sincerely appreciate the investigative judges for granting this temporary relief and extend my thanks to my legal team and colleagues for their tireless work. We’ve consistently demonstrated that Telegram has gone above and beyond legal requirements when it comes to moderation, cooperation, and crime prevention.”
French Court Suspends Travel Restrictions on Durov
According to Bloomberg, an official from the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that the travel ban initially imposed on Durov had been suspended. The temporary lift covers the period between March 15 and April 7, during which Durov is free to travel.
The investigation stems from allegations that Telegram has been used as a platform for fraudulent schemes, drug trafficking, and illegal content distribution. Durov was arrested in late August 2024 at Le Bourget Airport and later released on bail set at €5 million ($5.6 million). However, the court ordered him to remain in France as the probe continued.
Telegram Strengthens Cooperation with Law Enforcement
In response to the scrutiny, Telegram announced significant changes to its data-sharing policies in September 2024. The platform now shares users’ phone numbers and IP addresses with law enforcement when valid court orders prove a suspect’s criminal involvement and violation of Telegram’s Terms of Service.
Previously, Telegram limited such cooperation to cases involving terrorism. But the new measures aim to widen law enforcement collaboration while safeguarding user privacy. Durov also revealed improvements to Telegram’s search function, which had been exploited by bad actors to promote illegal products.
“These new steps should act as a strong deterrent to criminals,” Durov stated. “Telegram’s search tool was designed to help users connect with friends and access information—not to enable the sale of illegal goods. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of our platform, which serves nearly a billion people worldwide.”
Telegram’s User Base and Law Enforcement Compliance Grow
By January 2025, Telegram reported it had shared data from 2,253 users with law enforcement agencies following 900 requests from the U.S. government alone. These efforts demonstrate Telegram’s shift towards greater accountability and cooperation with authorities.
Durov also highlighted Telegram’s impressive growth over the past year. As of July, the platform reached 950 million monthly active users. By September, it also surpassed 10 million paid subscribers, reflecting a steady rise in its premium user base.
