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Imagine a life marked by genius, controversies, and a billionaire fortune. Now, add a sudden arrest, influential supporters like Elon Musk, and over 100 children scattered around the world. This is the reality of Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram.
At the center of a controversial investigation, Durov was detained on Saturday (24) after disembarking from his private jet in Le Bourget, on the outskirts of Paris, France.
The arrest of the 39-year-old entrepreneur shocked many, especially since he is known not only for his brilliant mind and his fortune estimated at around 85 billion reais, but also for creating Telegram, one of the most used messaging apps on the planet, with 900 million active users.
According to reports from French newspapers, he faces serious charges related to a lack of moderation on Telegram, which, according to authorities, may have allowed criminal activities on the platform.
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But Who Is Pavel Durov?
Born in Russia, Durov gained notoriety by co-founding Telegram with his brother Nikolai Durov in 2013. The idea for the app came after a frightening personal experience in 2011, when Russian special forces tried to invade his home.
Without a secure means of communication with his brother, Pavel saw the need for a platform that guaranteed the privacy of conversations, which led to the birth of Telegram.
In addition to Telegram, Durov also founded “VKontakte” (VK), known as the “Russian Facebook,” which became the largest social network in Russia and one of the most accessed in the world.
However, in 2014, after refusing to comply with government demands to close opposition groups on VK, Durov left the country and sold the company.
Since then, he has lived a life marked by moving between various cities around the world, having been naturalized as a French citizen in 2021.
Controversies and Over 100 ‘Children’
Durov is not just known for his technological innovations. Recently, he shocked the world by revealing that he has over 100 biological children spread across 12 countries, the result of sperm donations.
In his official Telegram channel, he shared that the idea of the donations arose when a friend approached him, saying that he and his wife were facing fertility issues.
Delving deeper into the matter, Durov was informed by the head of a clinic that there was a shortage of “high-quality donor material” and that it would be his “civic duty” to assist more couples anonymously.
“It sounded crazy enough to make me sign up,” Durov reported. He also added that he plans to make his DNA “open source” so that his children can meet each other in the future.
Durov is also an active figure on social media, where he frequently posts shirtless photos accompanied by reflective and motivational sayings. One of his most notorious videos shows him diving into a bathtub full of ice, illustrating his eccentric and austere lifestyle.
The Arrest of the Telegram Owner and Global Reactions
Pavel Durov’s arrest has sparked a wave of indignation, particularly among his supporters. Among them is Elon Musk, the billionaire and CEO of Tesla, who took to social media to criticize the detention of the Telegram founder.
Musk, known for his controversial opinions, stated that people are being punished “for liking a meme,” referencing the alleged reason for Durov’s arrest.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he further suggested that individual freedoms in Europe could be severely restricted in the near future if Durov’s case is indicative of what is to come.
According to information from French sources, Durov faces the possibility of a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for allegedly failing to take measures to prevent the criminal use of his platform.
The charges include drug trafficking, crimes against children, and fraud, situations that, according to French justice, Durov ignored by not implementing stricter moderation on Telegram.
As the case unfolds, the Russian embassy in France reported that it has not been contacted by Durov’s team but is taking “immediate measures” to clarify the situation.
So far, Telegram has not issued an official statement regarding the arrest of its founder, and French authorities remain silent.
The Influence of Durov in the Digital World
Pavel Durov has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the tech world, constantly challenging governments and large corporations.
His legacy, however, is now at risk with the recent allegations and his arrest. If convicted, the future of Telegram and its founder could change drastically, raising questions about digital freedom and the role of major platforms in online safety.
With increasing pressure on tech giants to moderate content on their platforms, Durov’s case could set a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression on the internet.
The big question now is: how far should the responsibility of digital platform creators go regarding the content generated by their users? And how will this impact the future of the internet as we know it?
Desculpem, papo **** isso tudo sobre o Pavel Durov. Isso tudo é o plano americano de lacração de tudo que é russo e chinês, e aí no barco vale tudo. Não apostaria nem metade das minhas fichas na veracidade destas informações.