t appears there may be some confusion regarding the status of Telegram and its founder, Pavel Durov. As of August 2025, Telegram remains operational and accessible on smartphones worldwide. There have been no credible reports indicating that Telegram is being removed from app stores or that it is disappearing from devices.

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was arrested in August 2024 at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on charges related to alleged criminal activities facilitated through the platform, including child exploitation and drug trafficking. He was subsequently released on bail but remains under judicial supervision in France. Durov has denied the allegations, stating that Telegram complies with EU laws and is committed to improving moderation practices. In response to the charges, Telegram has implemented stricter content moderation policies and increased cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
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Despite the legal challenges, Telegram continues to operate and has not been banned or removed from app stores. The platform remains available for download and use, and there have been no official announcements suggesting its discontinuation.