France has lifted the travel ban imposed on Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who remains under investigation for alleged complicity in enabling illegal content on his messaging platform, judicial sources confirmed on Thursday, November 13.
The decision marks a notable easing of restrictions placed on the entrepreneur since his detention in Paris in 2024.
Durov, 41, was initially prohibited from leaving France as part of strict judicial supervision tied to accusations that Telegram facilitated illicit activities, including illegal transactions and child sexual abuse imagery.
He was later allowed limited travel, with authorities granting him permission in July to spend up to two weeks at a time in the United Arab Emirates, where the company is headquartered.
Officials now say all travel restrictions have been removed. Durov is no longer required to report regularly to police in the southern city of Nice.
A judicial source, speaking anonymously to Agence France-Presse, noted that the entrepreneur had “fully complied with his judicial supervision” over the past year, prompting authorities to relax the remaining conditions.
The investigation centers on claims that Telegram failed to prevent the spread of criminal content, with prosecutors suggesting that platform oversight did not meet legal obligations.
During questioning in December 2024, Durov acknowledged that criminal groups had increasingly used the platform and pledged to bolster monitoring mechanisms to address the issue.
At the same time, Durov, who holds both French and Russian nationality, has sharply criticized the French government’s handling of the investigation. He has accused authorities of bypassing proper procedures in their content moderation inquiries and condemned his arrest as damaging to France’s reputation as a defender of civil liberties.
Despite the lifting of travel restrictions, the formal investigation into the platform’s alleged complicity continues. The case remains one of Europe’s most high-profile examinations of digital platform responsibility, reflecting growing pressure on tech companies to prevent misuse of their services.
As the judicial process moves forward, the French authorities’ latest decision signals a shift toward a less restrictive approach, while maintaining scrutiny over Telegram’s role in combating illegal online activity.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members