Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, asserted that the messaging app has never disclosed user's private messages to third parties.
Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, makes it crystal clear that his messenger service values privacy above all else. According to Durov, the messenger has never, in its 12-year history, disclosed a single byte of private messages. This unwavering stance on privacy is enshrined in the EU's Digital Services Act, where Telegram will only reveal IP addresses and phone numbers if backed by a genuine court order - the contents of messages remain off-limits.
Back in 2024, France sought to compel messenger services to create a "backdoor" for easy access to user conversations. This proposed law, passed by the Senate but rejected by the National Assembly, could have made France the first country without encryption, potentially putting users' privacy at risk, as well as leaving security vulnerable to hackers and intelligence agencies.
On August 24, 2024, Durov found himself at Le Bourget airport, handcuffed and detained. He was later granted bail of €5 million with the condition of checking in with the police twice a week. The court charged him with six out of twelve alleged offenses, including "refusal to provide authorized bodies with information or documents necessary for legal intercepts."
Fast forward to March 2025, and Durov stepped back onto French soil, returning from Dubai. However, the investigation into his case continues, as he faces charges relating to illegal activities, refusal to provide lawfully requested data, and supplying uncertified cryptographic tools.
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- Despite the proposed law in 2024 that aimed to force messenger services to create a backdoor, Telegram, under the leadership of its founder Pavel Durov, continued to uphold the service's commitment to privacy, withstanding any attempts to enforce the disclosure of private messages.
- Although France detained Pavel Durov in 2024, alleging refusal to provide authorized bodies with information or documents necessary for legal intercepts, he returned to France in March 2025, still facing charges of illegal activities, refusal to provide lawfully requested data, and supplying uncertified cryptographic tools.
- In contrast to some other messenger services, Telegram, under Durov's guidance, has strictly adhered to its policy of never disclosing private messages, even in the face of legal pressure, such as the Digital Services Act in the EU and the French attempts to compel backdoor access.
- As the legal proceedings against Pavel Durov continue, it remains to be seen how this case will ultimately impact the technology landscape, particularly in terms of privacy and the use of encrypted messaging apps, like Telegram, in sports and beyond.
