Pavel Durov: The Mysterious Life of the Called “Russian Zuckerberg” Now Facing Arrest in France

Pavel Durov, often referred to as the “Russian Zuckerberg,” has led a life as enigmatic as it is influential. The Russian-born tech entrepreneur, now under arrest in France, has long been a controversial figure, known for founding two of the most popular social networks in the world—VKontakte (VK) and Telegram.

Durov’s journey into the tech world began in his twenties when he launched VKontakte, a social network that quickly became the go-to platform for Russian-speaking users, outpacing even Facebook in the former USSR. However, disputes with Russian authorities and ownership battles forced Durov to sell his stake in VKontakte and leave Russia in 2014. He later channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into founding Telegram, a messaging service that has gained a massive global following but has also drawn significant criticism.

Telegram’s commitment to user privacy and encryption, combined with Durov’s refusal to moderate content, has made the platform a haven for those seeking freedom from censorship. However, this same policy has led to accusations that Telegram hosts extremist content, including conspiracy theories, calls for violence, and even drug trafficking. These allegations have placed the platform—and its founder—under intense scrutiny from authorities around the world.

Durov, who is now 39, was sensationally detained at a Paris airport over the weekend. French authorities have charged him with several offenses allegedly conducted via Telegram, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and organized crime. The investigation is being led by the cyber unit of the French gendarmerie and the national anti-fraud office, and as of Sunday, Durov remained in police custody.

Despite his legal troubles, Durov remains a deeply private and often mysterious figure. Known for his libertarian views, he has been a vocal advocate for internet privacy and has resisted efforts by governments to regulate his platforms. He famously refused to hand over user data to Russian security services, leading to a court order in 2018 to block Telegram in Russia—a move that was ultimately unsuccessful and widely ridiculed.

Durov’s personal life is as unconventional as his professional one. He has described himself as a solitary figure who abstains from meat, alcohol, and even coffee, and is known for his all-black attire, which has drawn comparisons to Keanu Reeves’ character in “The Matrix.” In a July 2023 post, he claimed to have fathered more than 100 children through sperm donations across a dozen countries, viewing this as a “civic duty”—an attitude that echoes that of fellow tech mogul Elon Musk.

Durov’s financial success is undeniable. According to Forbes, his fortune is estimated at $15.5 billion, though his cryptocurrency, Toncoin, has recently seen a significant drop in value following news of his arrest.

As legal proceedings unfold, the world will be watching to see what becomes of the man who has been at the center of some of the most significant digital privacy debates of the past decade. For now, Pavel Durov remains a figure shrouded in both mystery and controversy, embodying the complex intersection of technology, privacy, and power in the modern world

Sources By Agencies

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