Telegram, the encrypted messaging app, is on track for explosive growth, with founder Pavel Durov predicting it will reach one billion monthly active users within a year.
Durov, a Russian-born billionaire who resides in Dubai, emphasizes Telegram’s commitment to neutrality. He founded the app in 2014 after clashing with the Russian government over censorship demands on his previous social media platform, VK.
“Telegram is spreading like wildfire,” Durov stated in a recent interview. “We should remain a neutral platform, not a player in geopolitics.”
Currently boasting 900 million users, Telegram trails behind its primary competitor, Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp, which has over two billion users. However, with a focus on privacy and encryption, Telegram has gained significant traction, especially in Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union republics.
The platform emerged as a key source of information, often unfiltered and graphic, during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Durov maintains that Telegram facilitates open communication on both sides of the conflict.
Durov credits his experience under pressure from the Russian government as inspiration for creating an encrypted messaging app. He also denies rumors of Russian control, attributing them to competitors threatened by Telegram’s success.
“I’d rather be free than take orders from anyone,” Durov declared, explaining his decision to leave Russia. After stints in various locations, he chose Dubai for its neutrality.
Durov sees the biggest threats to free speech not from governments, but from tech giants like Apple and Google. He criticizes their app store policies that could potentially restrict Telegram’s reach.
Seeking a haven for a “neutral platform,” Durov settled on the United Arab Emirates, a country striving for international neutrality. He emphasizes that Telegram serves both governments and opposition groups, fostering a marketplace of ideas.
Durov prioritizes freedom and avoids accumulating significant personal assets like real estate or yachts. “The competition of different ideas can result in progress and a better world for everyone,” he concluded.
