The multi-billionaire founder of instant messaging app Telegram, Pavel Durov, says he has fathered more than 100 children. "The clinic, where I started donating sperm 15 years ago to help a friend, told me that more than 100 babies had been conceived this way in 12 countries,"Mr Durov told French political magazine Le Point. Mr Durov, who says he is the "official father" of six other children with three different partners, added that all of his offspring will share his estimated $13.9bn (£10.3bn) fortune. He also reiterated that he denies any wrongdoing in connection withserious criminal chargeshe faces in France. "They are all my children and will all have the same rights! I don't want them to tear each other apart after my death," Mr Durov said. But the self-exiled Russian technology tycoon told the magazine that none of his children would have access to their inheritance for 30 years. "I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account," he said. The 40-year-old said he had written a will now because his job "involves risks – defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states". His app, Telegram, known for its focus on privacy and encrypted messaging, has more than a billion monthly active users. Mr Durov also addressed criminal charges he faces in France, where he was arrested last year after being accused of failing to properly moderate the app to reduce criminality. He has denied failing to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual abuse content and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation. In the Le Point interview he described the charges as "totally absurd". "Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals," he added.
Telegram boss says he has fathered more than 100 children
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"Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Claims to Have Fathered Over 100 Children"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Pavel Durov, the founder of the instant messaging platform Telegram, has made headlines by revealing that he has fathered over 100 children through sperm donations made at a clinic 15 years ago. In an interview with the French magazine Le Point, Durov shared that these children were conceived across 12 countries and emphasized his role as the 'official father' to six additional children he has with three different partners. He stated that all his offspring will have equal rights to his considerable fortune, estimated at $13.9 billion. Durov expressed a desire for his children to live independently for three decades before accessing their inheritance, asserting that he wants them to develop self-reliance rather than relying solely on their wealth. This approach reflects his belief in fostering personal growth and responsibility among his children.
In addition to discussing his family, Durov addressed the serious criminal charges he faces in France, which include allegations of failing to adequately moderate Telegram to combat criminal activity on the platform. He firmly denied these accusations, labeling them as 'totally absurd' and asserting that the mere presence of criminals using his app does not implicate him or the company in criminal activity. Durov's commitment to privacy and freedom of expression is a cornerstone of his business, which boasts over a billion active users. He also mentioned the need for a will, citing the risks associated with his advocacy for freedoms that have made him adversaries, including powerful state entities. Despite the controversies surrounding his business practices, Durov remains focused on his responsibilities as a father and his vision for the future of his children.
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