Pavel Durov — founder of Telegram and a loud voice for privacy
Pavel Durov built two of the most talked-about platforms in recent tech history. First came VKontakte (VK), Russia’s answer to Facebook. Later, in 2013, he launched Telegram — a messaging app that pushed speed, large groups, and privacy into the mainstream. If you follow tech, media or online privacy debates, Durov’s moves matter.
He’s direct about his goals: give people a fast, secure place to communicate and keep governments out of private chats. That stance has brought praise and trouble. Telegram grew fast because it handled big groups, public channels and bot tools better than many rivals. It also grew because users who wanted encrypted chats and fewer restrictions turned to it when other platforms tightened rules or faced blocks.
What makes Telegram different — and why Durov pushed it
Telegram mixed features for everyday users and tools for publishers. Here’s what stood out: secret chats with end-to-end encryption, massive public channels for news and communities, and a bot platform that lets people build simple services inside chats. Durov aimed for speed and scale, so Telegram uses cloud chats for sync across devices while keeping optional secret chats extra private.
That design changed how groups and independent publishers share news. In many countries, including parts of Africa, Telegram channels became a quick way to spread updates, build communities, and bypass slow or censored channels. At the same time, Telegram’s open API and bot tools helped small teams build news distribution systems without big budgets.
Controversies, funding and the TON story
Pavel’s privacy-first approach created clashes with governments asking for access or demanding content removal. Telegram resisted some requests and lost others. On the money side, Durov funded early development and later explored new ideas like the TON blockchain. That project ran into legal trouble with US regulators and was paused. Still, Telegram stayed useful and free for millions, supported by Durov’s priorities and later monetization steps like premium features.
People who follow Durov often mix admiration and criticism. Admirers point to his consistent privacy stance and product vision. Critics say Telegram can be used for bad actors because of its large anonymous groups and fast spread. Both sides shape how policymakers and journalists talk about the platform today.
Want practical next steps? If you want updates straight from him, look for his official Telegram channel and verified social accounts. Follow major Telegram channels for news in your region, and use secret chats when you need true end-to-end encryption. For publishers, experiment with channels and bots — they’re low-cost ways to reach an audience fast.
Pavel Durov isn’t just a founder — he’s a public figure who pushed a new model for communication. That model affects how news travels, how activists organise, and how companies think about user data. Watch his moves if you care about messaging apps, online privacy, or how tech shapes public life.
