Telegram founder Pavel Durov – documentary sheds light on tech billionaire

A new documentary on Arte focuses on the messenger service. Telegram and its founder, Pavel Durov. The program will be available in the media library and on TV from November 25th.

The messaging app Telegram exists in a tension between freedom of expression and criminality.

A new Arte documentary now takes a critical look at the platform and its enigmatic founder.

Investigations in France

Since 2024, criminal investigations have been underway in France against the Russian-born tech entrepreneur. French authorities accuse Durov of not taking sufficient action against the distribution of illegal content on his platform.

Specifically, the allegations involve aiding and abetting the distribution of child pornography and drug trafficking. The case raises fundamental questions.

What responsibility do social network operators bear for the content of their users? This debate is no longer limited to France, but concerns the entire tech industry worldwide.

Over 20 years of Telegram

Journalist Aleksandr Urzhanov has followed the development of Telegram for over two decades. In his documentary, he traces the entrepreneur's career – from the chaotic years after the collapse of the Soviet Union to the building of one of the world's most influential messaging services.

The central question is: Is Durov a champion of digital freedoms or an unscrupulous businessman? What connections does he maintain to Russian authorities and the Kremlin?

Does Telegram serve as a tool for disinformation – or does the app, on the contrary, protect the privacy and freedom of expression of its millions of users?

Broadcast dates

The documentary will be available in the Arte Mediathek from November 25, 2025. It will be broadcast on television on the same day at 21:50 pm on Arte.

The discussion surrounding Telegram exemplifies how difficult the balancing act between Privacy Policy, freedom of expression and the fight against illegal activities in the digital space.

Sierks Media / © Photo: Christian Wiediger, Unsplash