Durov Addresses Blackmail Threats with Paid Support Options

Pavel Durov has publicly opposed extortion, though not entirely. He announced on his channel that rare usernames, anonymous numbers, and collectible gifts—some bought for just a few dollars—can now be traded for over $100,000. However, a darker side has emerged: extortion, threats of data leaks, and channels demanding money to remove compromising material. Durov stated that such practices are unacceptable and urged victims to gather evidence and contact him privately. He promised to delete extortionists, aiming to make his messaging platform a safer space. He clarified that reaching out to him via his channel costs 5,000 Stars (approximately 13,690 rubles), but later offered an alternative support channel and a hashtag for reporting blackmail. He explained the paid access cannot be removed due to volume concerns.