French authorities have detained Pavel Durov, the French-Russian billionaire and founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, at an airport just outside Paris.

The incident took place Saturday evening at Bourget Airport, following Durov’s arrival on a flight from Azerbaijan, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.

Durov, 39, was taken into custody by officers from France’s anti-fraud office, which is part of French customs.

The detention was carried out under a French arrest warrant issued against him.

The warrant was reportedly linked to concerns over Telegram’s lack of moderation, which has allegedly allowed the platform to be used for illicit activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and the sharing of pedophilic content.

According to BFMTV, Durov had not frequently travelled to France or Europe since the arrest warrant was issued.

The warrant appears to be a response to ongoing issues with how Telegram’s platform is managed, particularly concerning illegal content and activities.

The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of tech platforms and their responsibilities in monitoring content.

Telegram, known for its strong encryption and commitment to user privacy, has faced criticism in various countries for the way it handles illegal activities on its platform.

The detention of a prominent figure like Durov highlights the increasing pressure on tech companies to comply with international regulations and address concerns related to illegal online activities.

The outcome of this situation could have broader implications for how digital platforms are regulated in the future.