Pavel Durov, Telegram CEO: Financial Success Amidst Legal Challenges

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, is facing criminal charges in France while simultaneously celebrating the company’s first annual profit.

Telegram reported a profit of $540 million in 2024, a significant increase from a $173 million loss in 2023. Revenue for 2024 reached $1.4 billion, compared to $343 million the previous year. The company, fully owned by Durov, has also issued approximately $2.4 billion in bonds over the past four years, repurchasing $375 million between September and December 2024. Telegram has partnered with Elon Musk’s xAI to integrate its chatbot, Grok, into the platform.

Durov, a 40-year-old billionaire, previously co-founded the Russian social network VKontakte (VK) in 2006. He served as CEO until April 2014, when he resigned following what he described as a forced dismissal by shareholders. He left Russia shortly thereafter, citing incompatibility between the country and internet business. His departure followed several disagreements with Russian authorities over content removal requests.

In 2013, Durov and his brother Nikolai launched Telegram Messenger, focusing on end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy. The app now boasts over one billion users and operates with servers spread across the globe to prevent single-point government control. Telegram’s stated policy is to cooperate with legal requests from authorities in cases violating its terms of service, potentially including the disclosure of IP addresses and phone numbers.

Durov’s personal life has also drawn significant attention. He publicly stated in July 2024 that he has fathered over 100 biological children through sperm donation to couples in 12 countries over the past 15 years. He clarified that he has never been married and prefers to live alone.

In August 2024, French authorities detained Durov upon his private jet’s arrival in Paris. He is accused of enabling illegal activities on Telegram, including drug trafficking, fraud, and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. While initially detained in France, he was temporarily allowed to travel to Dubai in March 2025. If convicted, Durov faces up to 10 years in prison.

Durov’s case has sparked debate about the responsibility of tech executives for activities occurring on their platforms. This discussion follows other high-profile cases such as the conviction of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao for money-laundering and the subsequent pardon of Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, after serving 12 years of a double life sentence plus 40 years.

As of March 2025, Durov’s criminal case is ongoing. He remains CEO of Telegram, a company that has achieved significant financial success despite the legal challenges he faces.

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