Pavel Durov

Pavel Durov in 2013

Pavel Valeryevich Durov (born 10 October 1984) is a Russian-born French-Emirati entrepreneur who is known for being the founder of the social networking site VK and instant messaging app Telegram. He is the younger brother of Nikolai Durov.

Quotes

• Every one of us is going to die eventually, but we as a species will stick around for a while. That’s why I think accumulating money, fame or power is irrelevant. Serving humanity is the only thing that really matters in the long run.
  • "Why WhatsApp Will Never Be Secure" 2019-05-15
  • In reference to his expatriation from Russia after refusing to breach the privacy of VK users for the government

• In my 20 years of managing discussion platforms, I noticed that conspiracy theories only strengthen each time their content is removed by moderators. Instead of putting an end to wrong ideas, censorship often makes it harder to fight them.
  • "t.me/durov/163" 2021-07-21
  • Referring to the suppression of the COVID-19 lab leak theory on social media platforms

• Earlier this week, Hamas used w:Telegram (software) to warn civilians in Ashkelon to leave the area ahead of their missile strikes. Would shutting down their channel help save lives — or would it endanger more lives?”

[Hamas Telegram channels] serve as a unique source of first-hand information for researchers, journalists and w:fact-checkers.

• • Hamas’ social media following has skyrocketed since its attack. America is powerless to stop it (October 17, 2023)