France Lifts Police Reporting Requirements for Telegram Founder Pavel Durov

The French authorities have officially revoked all travel and police reporting restrictions previously imposed on Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging platform Telegram. This development marks a significant change in the legal situation Durov faced in France, where he had been under investigation for over a year.

Durov, who holds Russian, French, and Emirati citizenships, had been required to obtain special permission for international travel and to regularly report to law enforcement in Nice. These measures were related to an ongoing inquiry by French judicial authorities concerning Telegram's content moderation practices and its cooperation with official agencies in addressing criminal activity on the platform.

The investigation originated after Durov's arrest in Paris in August 2025. At the time, French officials accused Telegram of insufficient enforcement of legal obligations to monitor and moderate user content, and of an overall lack of responsiveness to requests for assistance from law enforcement. These concerns stemmed from repeated allegations that Telegram has been used as a platform for individuals involved in illicit activities, given its focus on privacy and limited data sharing with external parties.

Despite these accusations, sources indicate that Durov complied fully with all judicial requirements during the course of the investigation. The removal of travel and reporting restrictions means Durov is now able to move freely within and outside France without the need for prior authorization, including for business purposes.

However, the status of the broader investigation remains uncertain. No further details have been provided by authorities regarding the current progress or any potential outcomes of the inquiry into Telegram's moderation and cooperation policies. Durov himself has not made any official statements in response to the lifting of restrictions.

Previously, Durov had criticized the French government for what he described as excessive demands on social media platforms, arguing that similar allegations could be made against any major digital communication service. He also claimed to have resisted requests from French intelligence officials to block certain political voices on Telegram during foreign elections. These assertions were strongly denied by the French government.

Telegram continues to attract scrutiny from European regulators concerned about the potential misuse of encrypted messaging for criminal purposes. While the platform remains popular for its privacy features and user autonomy, its management faces ongoing challenges in balancing regulatory compliance with user privacy expectations.

With the recent easing of restrictions, Durov's ability to travel and conduct business is no longer hindered by French judicial measures. The outcome of the investigation into Telegram's moderation practices, however, remains to be seen as authorities continue to assess the platform's role in digital communications and public safety.