France lifts travel ban on Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

French authorities have fully lifted the travel ban on Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder and chief executive of the messaging platform Telegram, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged complicity in crimes committed via the app, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The decision, dated November 10, removes all remaining restrictions on Durov’s movements, including a requirement that he regularly report to a local police station. The change follows an earlier easing in June, when Durov was permitted to make limited trips to Dubai, where he resides, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

French law enforcement continues to investigate whether Telegram’s management, under Durov’s leadership, failed to take adequate steps to prevent criminal activity on the platform. Durov has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that Telegram is committed to user privacy and law enforcement cooperation within legal limits.

The case drew international attention last year when Durov was detained at a Paris airport in August 2024 after arriving on a private jet. He was held for four days of questioning and subsequently charged with being complicit in crimes facilitated through Telegram, though he has not been convicted.

Following his release, Durov was required to post €5 million in bail, surrender his passport, remain in France, and report to police twice a week — measures that are now fully lifted.

Durov, a dual citizen of France and the United Arab Emirates, founded Telegram in 2013 after leaving Russia’s VKontakte, citing government pressure. The app now has more than 900 million users worldwide and is frequently at the center of debates over online privacy, encryption, and the responsibility of tech platforms to combat illegal activity.

By Sabina Mammadli