Telegram Founder Claims France Sought Conservative Voice Censorship Ahead Romania Election

Pavel Durov, founder of the messaging app Telegram, accused France's intelligence service, led by Nicolas Lerner, of requesting that he censor conservative voices in Romania ahead of the country's presidential election, a request he refused. Durov made the claim public on X (formerly Twitter), linking the request to a meeting at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris and emphasizing Telegram's commitment to free speech, citing past refusals to block protesters in Russia, Belarus, and Iran. The French government categorically denied these allegations, calling them baseless and urging respect for Romanian democracy. The accusation surfaced during a tense election in Romania where centrist Nicusor Dan won a surprise victory over nationalist George Simion, who had campaigned on a Trump-inspired platform. Durov's allegations highlight ongoing concerns over foreign interference and the role of social media platforms in electoral processes across Europe. The Telegram founder is also currently under investigation in France on unrelated charges, complicating the political context.