VKontakte

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire founder of the messaging app Telegram and formerly VKontakte (VK), is currently facing charges of "aiding terrorism" from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). This development is part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to exert greater control over the internet and digital communications, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The FSB alleges that Telegram has failed to remove content used by Ukrainian intelligence and "terrorist" groups for planning attacks. An international arrest warrant has been issued for Durov, who resides in the Gulf. This is not the first time Durov has encountered legal issues in Russia; he previously faced scrutiny related to VKontakte, which he co-founded and sold in 2014. The current charges highlight ongoing tensions between Russian authorities and global digital platforms, especially those perceived as resistant to state control.