Rumble founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski announced his departure from Europe after the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov by French authorities. Pavlovski, who leads the video-sharing platform known for its stance against “cancel culture,” cited escalating tensions between Rumble and European governments as the reason for his sudden exit.
Pavlovski’s Departure and Response to Durov’s Arrest
On August 25, Pavlovski, a Canadian national, revealed via X (formerly Twitter) that he had “safely departed from Europe.” His departure followed the arrest of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born CEO of Telegram, by French police at Paris–Le Bourget Airport. Pavlovski accused the French government of “crossing a red line” by detaining Durov and claimed that France had issued threats against Rumble.
Rumble has had a contentious relationship with European authorities. In November 2022, the platform blocked access to French users after the French government demanded the removal of specific Russian news sources. Rumble refused to comply and vowed to challenge the directive legally. Pavlovski also reported that Rumble had been blocked in Russia earlier this year due to its refusal to meet censorship demands from the Russian government.
In his post, Pavlovski expressed support for Durov, stating, “We are currently fighting in the courts of France, and we hope for Pavel Durov’s immediate release.” However, Pavlovski did not disclose his current location or the country he left.
Also Read: Reports Suggest Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France
The Arrest of Telegram’s CEO and Its Implications
Pavel Durov, who holds both Russian and French citizenship, was apprehended by French officers on August 24 under a warrant issued by the country’s judicial police. The arrest is reportedly connected to an investigation into Telegram’s alleged non-compliance with law enforcement and insufficient moderation of criminal activities on its platform, including child sexual abuse content, drug trafficking, fraud, and terrorism.
Telegram, in response, stated that it complies with European Union laws and that its moderation efforts align with industry standards. The company emphasized that Durov “has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe,” arguing that it is “absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.” With nearly a billion users globally, Telegram is a significant source of information, and the arrest has raised concerns about the platform’s future in Europe.
As of now, French authorities have not publicly commented on Durov’s arrest but are expected to issue a statement on August 26.
