Pavel Durov
Russian-born founder of VK and the Telegram messaging app
- Age
- 42 yrs
- Birthday in 338 days
- Works listed
- 2
- Social network, Messaging app
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
Pavel Durov is a Russian-born entrepreneur who founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network, and later the Telegram messaging app with his brother Nikolai. Telegram has around a billion users. He left Russia after refusing government demands and was charged in France in 2024 over criminal activity on the platform.
Biography
Background
Durov spent part of his childhood in Turin, Italy, and studied philology at Saint Petersburg State University. His older brother Nikolai is a mathematician and programmer.
VKontakte
In 2006 he launched VKontakte (VK), a social network that became the most popular in Russia. After he refused in 2011 to block opposition groups and in 2013 to hand over data on Ukrainian protesters, he sold his stake and left the country in 2014.
Telegram
In 2013 the Durov brothers launched Telegram, a messaging app with large group chats and channels, based in Dubai. Its MTProto encryption was designed by Nikolai. Telegram grew to around a billion monthly users.
Arrest in France
In August 2024 Durov was detained in Paris and charged in connection with alleged failures to curb illegal content on Telegram. He denied wrongdoing and was released on bail. In July 2026 Russia issued an arrest warrant against him.
Timeline
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1984
Born in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg)
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2006
Launches VKontakte
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2011
Refuses to block opposition groups
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2013
Launches Telegram
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2014
Leaves VK and Russia
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2017
Telegram moves to Dubai
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2024
Detained and charged in France
Notable works
-
2006
VKontakte Social network
-
2013
Telegram Messaging app
With Nikolai Durov.
Did you know?
-
1
He is known for his ascetic lifestyle and black clothing.
-
2
He once threw paper planes made of banknotes from his office window.
-
3
Telegram’s blockchain project, TON, was halted by US regulators in 2020.
Connections
Related people
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Frequently asked
Who is Pavel Durov?
Pavel Durov is a Russian-born entrepreneur who founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social network, and later the Telegram messaging app with his brother Nikolai. Telegram has around a billion users. He left Russia after refusing government demands and was charged in France in 2024 over criminal activity on the platform.
How old is Pavel Durov?
Pavel Durov is 42 years old, born on 10 October 1984 in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg).
Where is Pavel Durov from?
Pavel Durov was born in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg).
What is Pavel Durov known for?
Pavel Durov is best known for Founding VKontakte (2006) and Telegram (2013).
References
- Pavel Durov — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Pavel Durov — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Pavel Durov — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Pavel Durov (Q149067) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Pavel Durov”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Pavel Durov.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/pavel-durov
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