French and Emirati spies hacked Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s iPhone in 2017 as part of a joint operation codenamed “Purple Music” to address concerns about the Islamic State’s use of the messaging app for recruitment and planning attacks. The hacking was part of a broader effort by France to compromise Telegram, although it is unclear if French President Emmanuel Macron was aware of the hack. There was no indication that the hacking of Durov’s phone played a role in his surprise detention in Paris over the weekend. Macron, who was an early adopter of Telegram, had attempted to persuade Durov to move Telegram to Paris when they had a meeting in 2018, but Durov ultimately decided to base the company in Dubai. He obtained citizenship in both France and the UAE in 2021, with Abu Dhabi investing $75 million into Telegram that year.
In 2014, Durov left Russia after facing pressure to share users’ communications from his VKontakte social media platform with Russian security agencies. Despite his public break with Russia, he traveled to the country more than 50 times between 2015 and 2021, according to leaked FSB data. Durov’s detention in Paris on suspicion of 12 offenses related to failing to curb criminal content on Telegram raises questions about his future and legal challenges. It remains to be seen whether he will face charges and be remanded in custody after his hearing. Durov’s interactions with both French and Russian authorities highlight the complexities of his tech entrepreneurship journey and the challenges he faces in balancing relationships with different governments.
The report about the hacking of Durov’s iPhone adds another layer of intrigue to his detention, as it raises questions about the extent of surveillance and espionage targeting the founder of a popular messaging app. The involvement of both French and Emirati spies in hacking Durov’s phone underscores the global reach of intelligence operations and the potential motivations behind such activities. As the founder of Telegram, Durov has been at the center of controversies and confrontations with governments seeking to control or monitor communication platforms, reflecting broader debates around privacy, security, and censorship in the digital age.
Macron’s efforts to persuade Durov to relocate Telegram to Paris, as well as Abu Dhabi’s investment in the company, highlight the geopolitical dimensions of tech entrepreneurship and the strategic interests of governments in shaping the digital landscape. Durov’s decision to base Telegram in Dubai, where he obtained citizenship, reflects his strategic considerations around regulatory environments and government relations. The interplay between technology companies and state actors, as seen in the case of Telegram, illustrates the complex dynamics of power and influence in the digital realm, where privacy, security, and national interests converge.
The detention of Durov and the revelations about the hacking of his iPhone raise broader questions about the role of tech companies, government surveillance, and the impact of such activities on individuals and society. As messaging apps like Telegram continue to play a critical role in communication and information exchange, the actions taken by governments to monitor and control these platforms have far-reaching implications for privacy, freedom of expression, and human rights. The case of Pavel Durov highlights the challenges faced by tech entrepreneurs operating in a global landscape where state surveillance, intelligence activities, and legal constraints intersect with innovation and entrepreneurship.
