Pavel Durov is a multifaceted figure: a programming prodigy, billionaire entrepreneur, Kremlin adversary, free-speech advocate, and father to at least 100 children.
The elusive founder of Telegram, who was detained in France over the weekend, resembles a globe-trotting tech mogul with Mark Zuckerberg’s brilliance, Jack Dorsey’s eccentric habits, and Elon Musk’s libertarian tendencies, along with a similar enthusiasm for fatherhood.
In July, Durov revealed that he has fathered over 100 children through sperm donations over the past 15 years.
Estimated to be worth $9.15 billion, Durov leads a borderless life with multiple passports and residences, committed to protecting communication freedom from government surveillance.
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His legal issues are reigniting the debate over Telegram’s end-to-end encryption, which secures user communications even from the company’s own employees, versus government security concerns and the EU’s regulatory efforts.
Born in the Soviet Union in 1984, Durov’s family moved to Italy when he was four but returned to Russia after the Soviet collapse.
He and his brother, Nikolai, showed early math talent, with Nikolai gaining fame on Italian TV and winning International Math Olympiad gold medals.
When the family returned to Russia, they brought an IBM PC XT, allowing them to learn programming early.
Durov’s coding skills and entrepreneurial drive led to the creation of Vkontakte (VK) in 2006, known as Russia’s Facebook.
However, his refusal to hand over Ukrainian user data during the 2013 protests led to a strained relationship with the Kremlin and his eventual resignation as CEO. VK is now state-controlled.
Durov’s goal has always been personal freedom and enabling others to achieve it.
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Unlike Zuckerberg, who acquired WhatsApp, Durov launched Telegram, aiming to create a superior messaging app.
Telegram’s strong encryption attracted millions of users but also drew criticism when terrorists used the platform.
Durov defended Telegram’s security, stating it cannot be both safe from criminals and open to government surveillance.
Telegram’s stance led to conflicts with various governments, including a failed 2018 ban attempt by Russia over encryption keys.
The ban was lifted in 2020, and Telegram now operates freely in Russia, becoming a key communication tool for Russian officials.
Despite speculation about concessions to the Kremlin, Durov has denied any wrongdoing.
Durov’s recent detention in Paris, where he was reportedly involved in a warrant related to Telegram’s moderation issues, has drawn Russian government support.
The Russian Embassy in Paris promptly began working on his behalf. Telegram maintains that it complies with EU laws and that Durov has nothing to hide.
