Telegram questioned France on Sunday for arresting its CEO Pavel Durov, who had been detained at a Paris airport over the weekend.

"Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act -- its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving," the app said Monday on X. It added that Durov, who frequently travels across Europe, has "nothing to hide."

"It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform," the Dubai-based platform said.

The Arrest

Local media reported that authorities arrested Durov at Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday. French authorities reportedly detained the CEO on his private jet when he arrived from Azerbaijan. He is originally from Russia but holds dual citizenship with France and the United Arab Emirates.

The arrest is tied to an investigation into whether Telegram's content moderation has enabled crimes like terrorism and trafficking. Durov has not been formally charged, but the investigation centers on Telegram's moderation practices.

Telegram-linked Toncoin has plunged 17% following the arrest. The token was down 1.1% on Monday.

French Authorities Extend Pavel Durov's Detention

French judicial authorities on Sunday extended Durov's detention, signaling a severe approach to the allegations against him. This extension, which could last up to 96 hours, indicates a detailed investigation into the claims.

The Russian Embassy in Paris requested an explanation from the French authorities regarding the reasons for the detention. Further, they insisted on protecting Durov's rights and granting consular access.

Discussions about the balance between free speech, privacy, and content moderation have erupted following his arrest. While some critics contend that Durov's arrest over platform content establishes a dangerous precedent for internet freedom, others assert it underscores the need for more stringent platform regulations.

Duro's Stance and History

With nearly 1 billion users, the highly influential encrypted app holds a strong sway over Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet republics.

In April, Durov, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $15.5 billion, mentioned that certain governments had tried to influence him. However, he highlighted that Telegram should remain a neutral platform and not engage as a "player in geopolitics."

In 2014, he left Russia after clashing with the Russian government over the control and censorship of his social media platform, VK (formerly VKontakte).

He resisted government demands to delete opposition politicians' content and hand over user data, which led to his removal from VK and his exit from Russia.

Under pressure, Durov conceived the idea for an encrypted messaging app. His younger brother, Nikolai, designed the encryption. Durov has not publicly stated whether he has given up his Russian citizenship.

"I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone," Durov said in April regarding his departure from Russia and his quest for a base for his company.