France Telegram Case Turns 2: Is Durov Being Prosecuted for Saying No?

France's Telegram case turned two years old on Monday. Founder Pavel Durov marked the date by accusing governments of punishing the app for refusing censorship demands.

The French criminal investigation opened in August 2024 remains active. Durov argues the case has weakened as evidence about Telegram's moderation record has accumulated.

How France's Telegram Case Began

French police held Durov for three days in 2024, the longest period allowed before charges. He describes the move as a first, with a platform executive accused over offenses committed by users.

Restrictions on him have since loosened. France lifted his travel restrictions in November 2025, ending a year of mandatory police check-ins.

However, the probe itself never closed. French prosecutors have examined whether Telegram enabled criminal activity by failing to cooperate with lawful requests. Durov now says two years of data undercut its premise. Telegram, he argues, neither moderated worse than rivals nor cooperated less with authorities.

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