France Lifts Travel Ban on Telegram Founder Pavel Durov

France officially lifted all travel restrictions on Telegram founder Pavel Durov as of November 13, 2025, concluding a year where the dual French-Russian citizen faced mandatory police check-ins and movement limitations following his arrest in August 2024. Durov was initially detained in Paris on allegations that Telegram enabled organized crime due to insufficient content moderation, particularly concerning child sex abuse material. Although the travel ban is lifted, the criminal investigation remains active; Durov faces up to 10 years in prison and significant fines if convicted on charges of complicity in organized crime. In response to criticism, Telegram has implemented stronger moderation tools, including AI-powered systems. Durov has publicly criticized the French authorities, framing the proceedings as an attack on free speech, while his defense maintains Telegram is a neutral platform. The resolution of this ongoing legal dispute could significantly influence platform accountability regulations across Europe.

(Source：BeInCrypto)