Telegram Founder Pavel Durov's Travel Ban Lifted in France Amid Ongoing Legal Probe

French authorities have lifted the travel ban on Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, as reported by Bloomberg on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter. The decision, dated Monday, ends a nearly year-long restriction that was imposed after Durov's arrest in Paris in August 2024.

Durov had been barred from leaving France while facing multiple preliminary charges related to Telegram's alleged role in facilitating illicit transactions, including money laundering and unlicensed financial transactions. The charges carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $550,000. Although the travel ban and the requirement for regular police check-ins have been dropped, the criminal investigation remains active.

Durov and Telegram have rejected the allegations, asserting that the platform complies with European Union data and privacy standards. In public statements, Durov has criticized the French government and EU policies, such as the proposed "Chat Control" rules, which he labeled as "dystopian" in an October X post. He also expressed disappointment with French President Emmanuel Macron, stating in a June interview that "France is getting weaker and weaker."

Telegram, with over 900 million active users, continues to expand its ecosystem, including features built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. The case underscores broader tensions between tech companies and European regulators over encryption, privacy, and content moderation.