Telegram founder Pavel Durov given permission to leave France

Pavel Durov, founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, has left France and relocated to Dubai following approval from a French court.

On March 13, Durov reportedly received permission from the French court to depart the country, allowing him to travel to Dubai—a city known for its business-friendly environment and lack of extradition agreements with many nations, according to a Barron’s report citing unknown sources.

The exact terms of the court’s decision remain unclear, but Durov’s relocation has reignited debates about jurisdiction, privacy, and the responsibilities of tech leaders in combating illegal activities on their platforms.

Citing unnamed sources, AFP reported that “He (Durov) departed France this morning,” adding that he left with the authorities’ approval. Another source stated that he had been granted permission to leave France for “several weeks.”

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.