Anvi
Nidhi Staff answered 4 months ago
Pavel Durov is a Russian-born entrepreneur best known as the founder of Telegram, a widely used messaging app, and the social networking site VKontakte (VK). Here’s a detailed look at his background, career, and recent developments:
Early Life and Education
Full Name: Pavel Valeryevich Durov
Date of Birth: October 10, 1984
Place of Birth: Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Saint Petersburg, Russia)
Family Background: His father, Valery Durov, is a doctor of philology and a professor, and his older brother, Nikolai Durov, is a notable mathematician and programmer who later became Pavel’s partner in business ventures.
Education: Pavel graduated with honors from the Saint Petersburg State University, where he studied philology.
Career
VKontakte (VK):
Founded: 2006
Role: Pavel Durov founded VK, which became one of the most popular social networking sites in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Significance: VK was often referred to as the “Russian Facebook” due to its similar functionality and widespread popularity in Russia and neighboring countries.
Challenges: Durov faced significant pressure from Russian authorities to hand over personal data of VK users who were involved in protests and anti-government activities. His refusal led to multiple conflicts with the government.
Telegram:
Founded: 2013
Role: Pavel Durov founded Telegram along with his brother Nikolai Durov.
Significance: Telegram is known for its emphasis on privacy, encryption, and resistance to government censorship. It gained global popularity as a secure messaging app.
Business Model: Telegram does not rely on advertising for revenue. Instead, it has experimented with various monetization strategies, including premium features and donations.
Exile from Russia
Reasons: In 2014, after refusing to comply with Russian government demands for user data and facing increasing pressure, Pavel Durov sold his remaining shares in VK and left Russia. He became a self-proclaimed “digital nomad,” living in various countries while continuing to develop Telegram.
Citizenship
Pavel Durov holds citizenship from several countries, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, obtained through investment programs. He has also reportedly obtained citizenship in other countries to maintain his freedom and independence.