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Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram and developer of The Open Network (TON), has revealed shocking details about a near-fatal incident he believes was a poisoning attempt in 2018. Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast, Durov explained that the alleged attack happened at a critical time when Telegram was locked in a high-stakes battle with Russian authorities over encryption access.
That year, Russia’s Federal Security Service demanded encryption keys to access Telegram messages. Durov refused, citing user privacy, and soon after, Russia banned the app. Around the same period, Telegram raised $1.7 billion through two funding rounds to support TON’s development, placing Durov at the center of global attention.
According to his account, the poisoning attempt occurred when he discovered a strange substance left outside his apartment door. Hours later, he collapsed with severe pain and an alarming loss of physical function. He described the ordeal as one of the most dangerous moments of his life. The incident coincided with other alleged poisonings linked to Russian intelligence, including the Skripal case in the UK.
Durov also claims that pressure from state actors did not end with Russia. He recently accused French intelligence of attempting to blackmail him in connection with Moldova’s elections. He said French officials pressured him to ban pro-Russian Telegram channels, suggesting that compliance would lead to favorable treatment in his ongoing legal troubles in France.
These explosive claims highlight the political challenges Durov has faced while running one of the world’s most popular messaging apps. However, his accusations remain unverified, and no concrete evidence has yet emerged to confirm the poisoning or the alleged blackmail.
Durov’s revelations underscore the immense geopolitical pressure on Telegram, raising fresh questions about government influence, digital privacy, and the dangers faced by tech leaders who resist state demands.
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