Last weekend, Russian tech giant Pavel Durov left his private jet and found himself under arrest.

As the news spread around the world, other big tech bosses started sweating. For years tech companies around the world have been able to act largely how they want to. But now French police have acted.

Durov, who set up TelegramToday: an encrypted instant messaging app. In the past: a message sent via electric wires and delivered as a printed piece of paper. As every word was expensive, making the message as short as possible became an art. A famous joke telegram sent from Venice read, "STREETS FULL OF WATER PLEASE ADVISE"., has been placed under formal investigation. If the process leads to a trialA trial is where two people or two groups of people argue in a court. and he is found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison. 

Telegram is the world's fourth biggest messaging platform. Durov says it has 950 million monthly active users.

Unlike WhatsApp, which allows groups of up to 1,000 members, Telegram allows for groups of up to 200,000. This has helped make it popular with campaigners, but also criminals. British officials believe it played a role in last month's riotsWhen a large number of people behave in a violent and loud way in public and cause disruption. .

Telegram has been accused of not doing enough to stop false claims, criminals and hateful groups.

Durov refuses to act because he is anti-censorshipPreventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient". . He says people should be allowed to say whatever they want to on his app.

Durov's arrest is the first time the owner of a messaging service has been found personally responsibleOfcom, the UK communications regulator, will be able to issue fines of up to £18m or 10% of a company's global turnover. They will also have the power to block access to sites in the UK.  for the way their platform is used.

Somes think the arrest attacks freedom of speechThe right to say, write and communicate thoughts and ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal..

Politicians and the public seem to disagree. A YouGovA British public opinion and polling company. It was co-founded by Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative Party politician. pollThe YouGov survey asked 1,107 British teachers about racism and the curriculum.  last month found that 66% of Britons think social media managers should be held responsible for incitingEncouraging or stirring up. riots.

Is this the downfall of the tech barons?

Yes! Durov's arrest is the first move. Tech bosses may have a lot of money, but the other side has the law, morals and public support. The law always wins in the end.

No! Telegram is a special case. It has been used by criminals in different parts of the world. Other tech leaders will take care to make sure they are not arrested for the same reasons.

FOR YOUR FINAL SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.

Telegram - Today: an encrypted instant messaging app. In the past: a message sent via electric wires and delivered as a printed piece of paper. As every word was expensive, making the message as short as possible became an art. A famous joke telegram sent from Venice read, "STREETS FULL OF WATER PLEASE ADVISE".

Trial - A trial is where two people or two groups of people argue in a court.

Riots - When a large number of people behave in a violent and loud way in public and cause disruption.

Censorship - Preventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient".

Responsible - Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, will be able to issue fines of up to £18m or 10% of a company's global turnover. They will also have the power to block access to sites in the UK. 

Freedom of speech - The right to say, write and communicate thoughts and ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal.

YouGov - A British public opinion and polling company. It was co-founded by Nadhim Zahawi, a Conservative Party politician.

Poll - The YouGov survey asked 1,107 British teachers about racism and the curriculum. 

Inciting - Encouraging or stirring up.