Serving technology enthusiasts for more than 25 years. TechSpot is a trusted source for tech advice and analysis.
What just happened? Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram has celebrated the platform reaching one billion monthly active users, by calling rival WhatsApp Durov recently returned from France after spending several months there due to a criminal inquiry related to criminal activities on Telegram. Durov announced on his personal channel that Telegram has reached one billion active monthly users. This is an increase of 50 millions users over last year. He also stated that the company would have $547 million in profit in 2024.
He also took a swipe at WhatsApp, a rival service with more than 2 billion active monthly users. Durov wrote.
Durov was arrested in August 2024 by the Air Transport Gendarmerie at Le Bourget Airport, France. He was arrested shortly after stepping out of his private jet, following a flight to Azerbaijan.
French officials said that Durov was arrested as part of an investigation into Telegram failing to moderate alleged criminal activities on the app. Durov was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including failing curb CSAM, and other extreme material. He was released on bail a few days later.
The Russian-born billionaire was placed under formal investigations and banned from leaving France. He also holds a United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport.
French reports indicate that Durov was allowed to leave France several weeks ago after a judge changed the bail conditions. The Paris prosecutor confirmed that Durov’s judicial restrictions had been relaxed from March 15 until April 7. He said. Telegram has been trying to become a platform that adheres to the law since Durov’s detention. It is working with US agencies to provide phone numbers, IP addresses, and other crucial information for user identification. This collaboration has affected thousands of people.
Telegram has also created a team of moderators to identify criminal activity on its platform. The company has also joined the Internet Watch Foundation in order to crackdown on CSAM.
