Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Cleared to Travel Amid Ongoing Legal Battle in France

Telegram CEO and co-founder Pavel Durov has been granted permission to leave France starting July 10, according to a report by Le Monde. This marks the second time Durov has received travel clearance since his arrest last year over allegations that his messaging app, Telegram, enabled the distribution of illegal content.

French authorities detained Durov in 2024, accusing the crypto-friendly platform of insufficient content moderation and unauthorized use of encryption technology. Telegram, which has become a hub for blockchain-based services and in-app token economies, faced increased scrutiny amid a broader crackdown on digital privacy tools used by criminals.

In April, Durov was briefly allowed to travel to Dubai—where Telegram’s main offices are located—but remained barred from entering the United States. As part of that agreement, he posted a €5 million ($5.7 million) bond and reported to French authorities twice a week. His legal obligations remain in place despite the new travel window.

Telegram has since modified its app to address regulatory concerns. It now warns users that attempting to share illicit material could result in authorities receiving their IP addresses and phone numbers. These changes were implemented after Durov began cooperating with French officials.

A vocal advocate for civil liberties, Durov’s arrest drew sharp criticism from figures like Edward Snowden and Elon Musk, who viewed the move as a threat to digital freedom. Durov, originally from Russia, has a net worth of $13.9 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Telegram has grown into a key player in the crypto space, supporting blockchain mini-apps and integrating the TON token, developed initially by Telegram and now managed by independent developers. TON currently ranks as the 21st largest cryptocurrency by market cap.