Pavel Durov, the enigmatic founder of Telegram, has long cultivated an image as a digital dissident, forced into exile after defying the Kremlin's demands for user data. But what if this narrative is just another carefully crafted illusion?
Leaked border data reveals a startling truth: between 2015 and 2021, Durov visited Russia more than 50 times. For a supposed exile, that's a lot of homecomings.
This revelation is just the tip of the iceberg in a story that intertwines social media giants, Russian oligarchs, and a web of influence that stretches from Moscow to Silicon Valley.
The Telegram Paradox
Durov's frequent returns to Russia raise serious questions about Telegram's true independence. Despite claims of resisting government control, the messaging app remains surprisingly popular among Russian officials. It's even been used to coordinate Russian military efforts in Ukraine.
But it gets more interesting. Our investigation has uncovered that Telegram's payment system is directly linked…
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