Pavel Durov: The Russian Mark Zuckerberg

Hero or Villain?

3 min read

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of messaging app Telegram, was arrested last weekend in France as part of an investigation into crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions on the platform.

Why was he arrested? Well, to answer this question we have to tell his story from te begging…

Born in Russia, he became known for creating VK, which was essentially the Facebook of Russia. Now, what’s really impressive is that VK was the only social network in the world that managed to beat Facebook in its home market. Even Mark Zuckerberg himself acknowledged this, noting how VK could mimic Facebook’s updates within minutes, making it impossible for them to compete in Russia.

VK’s success wasn’t just about beating Facebook, though. It put Durov in the crosshairs of the Russian government. One day, government officials approached him, demanding access to user data, specifically targeting those who were voicing anti-government sentiments. This wasn’t just a request; it was an ultimatum with serious consequences.

Durov didn’t comply. Instead, he publicly posted the government’s request on VK, effectively flipping the bird to the authorities. This act of defiance came with a heavy price. The government raided his apartment, and he was forced to flee Russia, leaving VK behind. But Durov’s story doesn’t end there.

He ultimately had to sell VK, and with the money he made from selling it (around $300 million), Durov and his brother, a double PhD in mathematics, decided to create something new: an encrypted messaging app that would allow people to communicate securely, free from government surveillance. This app became Telegram, one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world today.

Telegram now has around a billion users, and it’s known for its speed, security, and a wide array of features. Despite constant pressure from governments worldwide, Durov has refused to compromise on user privacy. He remains the sole director and equity holder of Telegram, running the entire operation with just 30 full-time employees.

Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps globally. Law enforcement agencies across the globe have long focused on the app because it has become a tool of choice for child predators, terrorist organizations, narcotics traffickers and far-right extremists for communicating and organizing their activities. The app allows for private group chats and messaging, a feature cyber experts say creates an ideal environment for illegal activity.

I think it is difficult to draw a clear line between free expression and the suppression of speech. It is the government's job to safeguard its citizens, but this cannot be done by undermining our rights as citizens.