Pavel Durov, often dubbed the “Russian Zuckerberg,” was born on Oct. 10, 1984, in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. From a young age, Durov displayed a natural affinity for technology, driven by a curiosity that would shape his future.
His father, Valery Durov, was a respected philologist, and this academic influence was a constant presence in Pavel’s upbringing. Yet, while his father immersed himself in language and literature, Pavel gravitated toward the digital world, fascinated by the emerging possibilities of computers and the internet.
Durov’s early education
Durov’s early education took place in Italy, where his father held a teaching position. This international exposure broadened his worldview and introduced him to the global reach of technology.
Upon returning to Russia, he enrolled in the Academic Gymnasium in St. Petersburg — a school renowned for fostering intellectual rigor. It was here that Durov’s knack for technology began to crystallize. He taught himself to code, often diving deep into programming challenges, and became known among his peers as someone destined for greatness in tech.
In 2006, Durov graduated from Saint Petersburg State University with a degree in philology. His choice of study might seem unconventional for a tech enthusiast, but it reflected the dual influences in his life. The skills he gained in linguistics — structural thinking, attention to detail and an appreciation for communication — would prove invaluable in his later ventures.
Durov’s genesis: the rise of VKontakte
While still at university, Durov began experimenting with social networks, inspired by the rise of platforms like Facebook in the West. In 2006, leveraging his coding skills and the support of his older brother Nikolai — a mathematician and programmer — Durov founded VKontakte (VK), a social networking site designed specifically for Russian speakers. VK quickly gained popularity, filling a void in the Russian market where no comparable platform existed.
Durov’s vision for VK was clear: it should be free, user-friendly and adhere to a strong principle of free speech. Under his leadership, VK expanded rapidly, becoming the largest social network in Russia and the surrounding region within a few years. Durov’s approach was hands-on, and he was involved in every aspect of the platform’s development, from coding to user interface design.
However, success brought its challenges. As VK grew, it attracted the attention of both competitors and the Russian government, which sought to exert control over the platform.
Durov’s refusal to cooperate with authorities and his staunch defense of user privacy and freedom of expression led to increasing pressure. By 2014, facing mounting conflicts with the government and shareholders, Durov was forced out of VK, marking the end of an era for the social network he had built from the ground up.
Telegram: the privacy-centered messaging app
After his departure from VKontakte, Durov didn’t waste any time before embarking on his next venture. In 2013, while navigating the turbulent end of his time at VK, he and his brother launched Telegram. This new messaging app was more than just a competitor in the crowded market — it was a direct response to the growing concerns about privacy and data security in the digital age.
Telegram was built with privacy at its core. Using Nikolai’s MTProto protocol, the app ensured that messages were encrypted end-to-end, making them nearly impossible to intercept. This focus on security wasn’t just a technical choice but a philosophical stand. Durov wanted to create a platform where users could communicate freely without fear of surveillance — something he’d fought for at VK but had been unable to fully realize.
Telegram’s initial growth was modest but steady. By the end of its first year, the app had attracted around 100,000 daily active users, a number that quickly multiplied as word spread about its robust security features.
In a world increasingly concerned about privacy — especially in the wake of revelations like the Snowden leaks (a massive disclosure of classified information in 2013) — Telegram’s appeal was clear. Within two years, the app had surpassed 50 million monthly active users, a testament to its rapidly growing popularity.
One of Telegram’s standout features was “Secret Chats,” which allowed users to set messages to self-destruct, appealing to privacy-conscious users. The app also introduced “Channels” for broadcasting to large audiences and bots for automated services, expanding Telegram into a comprehensive communication and information-sharing platform.
By 2017, Telegram had become a global phenomenon. The app handled over 15 billion messages daily and had crossed the 100 million monthly active user mark. Telegram’s growth was fueled by its adoption in regions with high concerns about government surveillance, including parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The app’s versatility and privacy features made it popular among activists, journalists and anyone who values secure communication.
Despite its success, Telegram faced significant challenges. Governments in various countries began to take notice of the app’s potential to facilitate communication outside of their control. In response, several nations attempted to block or restrict access to Telegram, citing concerns about its use by terrorists and dissidents. Durov, however, refused to compromise on his principles, often finding creative ways to circumvent these bans and keep Telegram operational for its users.
By 2018, Telegram had grown to over 200 million monthly active users, with no signs of slowing down. The app had established itself as a major player in the global messaging landscape, respected for its commitment to privacy and security.
What is TON? Durov’s foray into cryptocurrency
With Telegram thriving, Durov wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. Always looking ahead, he envisioned a new project — one that would take his commitment to privacy and freedom to an entirely new level. In 2018, Durov introduced the Telegram Open Network (TON), a decentralized platform designed to revolutionize how people interact online.
TON wasn’t just another blockchain — it was Durov’s bold vision for an entirely new digital ecosystem. He saw it as a way to expand Telegram’s capabilities beyond messaging, allowing users to conduct secure, lightning-fast transactions and access a variety of decentralized services, all without relying on traditional, centralized systems.
The project quickly gained traction. Investors saw the potential in TON’s decentralized approach, and the response was overwhelming. Telegram’s initial coin offering for Toncoin (TON) raised over $1.7 billion, making it one of the largest ICOs ever.
However, bringing TON to life wasn’t going to be easy. As Durov pushed forward, he ran into significant hurdles, particularly from regulators who were wary of the project’s implications. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission was especially concerned. It argued that the sale of TON’s cryptocurrency, known as Grams, was effectively an unregistered securities offering. This legal challenge quickly escalated, putting the entire project in jeopardy.
Durov found himself in a high-stakes battle with the SEC. The legal wrangling was intense, with the future of TON hanging in the balance. Despite his best efforts, the pressure from regulators proved to be insurmountable. In 2020, after a lengthy court battle, Durov made the difficult decision to officially halt Telegram’s involvement with TON, refunding investors and stepping away from the project.
But that wasn’t the end of TON. The network had already garnered significant interest and support from the broader crypto community. After Telegram’s exit, a group of open-source developers decided to continue the work on TON independently. The decentralized nature of TON’s technology allowed it to survive and evolve, even without Telegram at the helm.
Indeed, Durov’s original vision for TON lives on through this community-driven effort, even if he’s no longer directly involved.
Why was Durov arrested?
In August 2024, Durov, the founder of Telegram, found himself at the center of international controversy when he was arrested by French police at Le Bourget Airport, just north of Paris. The arrest, which sent shockwaves through the tech world, was linked to an ongoing investigation into Telegram’s moderation practices — or, as critics claimed, the lack thereof.
Durov’s detention was reportedly tied to accusations that Telegram had failed to adequately moderate illegal content on its platform. Authorities pointed to the app’s alleged role in facilitating drug trafficking, the distribution of child sexual content and various forms of fraud.
Despite Telegram’s insistence that its moderation practices met industry standards, cybersecurity experts and law enforcement argued that the app’s efforts to curb criminal activities were significantly weaker than those of other platforms.
The arrest sparked a heated debate about privacy, free speech and the responsibilities of tech companies in combating illegal activities online. Durov, known for his unwavering commitment to user privacy and his refusal to compromise with government demands — even at the risk of being banned in countries like Russia — now faced the consequences of his principles in Europe.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also weighed in on the situation, recalling a conversation he had with Durov years ago. Medvedev had warned Durov that his refusal to cooperate with law enforcement could lead to serious problems worldwide, not just in Russia. Medvedev’s comments suggested that, in his view, Durov’s ideals had put him on a collision course with governments around the globe, underscoring the challenges faced by tech leaders who prioritize privacy over compliance.
Meanwhile, the TON community — an independent group of developers continuing to work on the now-rebranded The Open Network — issued a statement of support for Durov. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of freedom of speech and decentralization, expressing confidence that Durov’s vision would continue to inspire millions despite the current challenges. The community urged users to remain calm and united, vowing to keep building the decentralized future that Durov had always championed.
Telegram also released a statement defending its practices and highlighting Durov’s transparency and frequent travel within Europe. The statement argued that holding Durov personally responsible for the misuse of Telegram by some users was absurd, highlighting that nearly a billion people rely on the app for communication and information. Telegram’s message was clear: it stands by its founder and is confident in a prompt resolution to the situation.
Written by Bradley Peak