Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been arrested in France, local news reports say.

The 39-year-old tech entrepreneur was reportedly arrested when his private jet arrived at Le Bourget airport, located on the outskirts of Paris.

French news outlets BFMTV and TF1 have cited anonymous sources as saying that Durov’s arrest follows a search warrant in connection with an investigation into the app’s moderation practices and possible criminal activity conducted through Telegram. However, neither the French police, the Interior Ministry, nor Telegram have yet commented on the allegations.

Telegram, known for its robust end-to-end encryption and privacy features, is one of the most downloaded apps in the world. It has nearly a billion users and has become particularly influential in Russia, Ukraine and former Soviet republics. The platform is a vital tool for pro-democracy movements and is a major source of information about Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Despite its popularity, Telegram has been scrutinized for its use in various criminal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution of pirated content. The app has also been used by far-right activists, recently leading to unrest in the United Kingdom.

Durov’s arrest comes as a surprise to many, as Telegram has been praised for maintaining a neutral stance amid geopolitical tensions. Durov, who became a French citizen in August 2021, is known for his efforts to keep the app free from political interference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that it is taking steps to confirm the details of Durov’s arrest. The founder left Russia in 2014 after his previous social media company, VKontakte (VK), was taken over after he refused to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups.

Mr Durov became naturalised as a French citizen in August 2021 and is also a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.

In an article on X, American commentator Tucker Carlson believes that Mr Durov has been detained in France for his refusal to “censor the truth”. In an interview with the American TV personality in April, Mr Durov said he was determined to keep Telegram “neutral” and “free from geopolitics”.