Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been detained in France as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the messaging app's failure to cooperate with law enforcement requests, announced authorities in Paris on Monday. Durov, who primarily resides in Dubai, was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget Airport upon his arrival on a private jet from Azerbaijan.

Confirming the reports that surfaced over the weekend, French prosecutors revealed that they initiated an investigation last month into an unidentified individual for various violations, including the dissemination of child pornography, trafficking illegal drugs, and reluctance to cooperate with authorities in an organized fraud probe. It remains unclear whether Durov is being questioned as the primary target of the investigation or as an alleged accomplice.

Highlighting the case's focal point, Jean-Michel Bernigaud, a top French police official, stated on LinkedIn that the lack of moderation and cooperation by the Telegram platform, particularly in combating child pornography, was central to the matter at hand.

Under French law, authorities are permitted to detain Durov for questioning until Wednesday or for a maximum of 96 hours, although it is uncertain if he is being held on suspicion of the aforementioned crimes.

Responding to Durov's detainment, Telegram issued a statement deeming it "absurd" to hold the CEO accountable for the actions of individuals who misuse the platform. The company emphasized that it adheres to all European Union laws.

A prominent figure in the tech industry, Durov founded Telegram in 2013 to offer secure communication channels beyond the reach of authoritarian regimes. Since then, the app has gained immense popularity, boasting over 900 million users and positioning itself as one of the most widely-used messaging services worldwide.

Telegram's hands-off approach to content moderation has drawn criticism from researchers who accuse the platform of failing to take action against extremist groups and channels that serve as recruiting hubs for organizations like ISIS and Hamas. Former Facebook executive Brian Fishman, an expert on counter-terrorism, highlighted Telegram's long-standing disregard for law enforcement requests pertaining to terrorist groups and child pornography.

While French law enforcement and internet researchers view Durov's questioning as a consequence of Telegram's alleged refusal to comply with government requests, advocates of free speech argue that detaining a tech executive over platform content impinges on freedom of expression. Industry figures like Elon Musk and self-proclaimed whistleblower Edward Snowden have voiced concerns regarding the implications of Durov's arrest, calling it an attack on basic human rights of speech and association.

French President Emmanuel Macron defended his country's arrest and questioning of Durov, asserting that it was part of an ongoing judicial investigation and not a politically motivated decision. Macron emphasized that it is up to the judges to determine the outcome of the case.

As the investigation into Telegram's non-compliance unravels, the tech industry and free speech advocates closely observe the implications and potential consequences that may emerge from this high-profile detention.