Telegram Chief Pavel Durov Says No To Silencing Romanian Conservatives, Hints At Western Pressure
Durov did not mince words about what he sees as the contradiction in trying to uphold democracy through censorship.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov claims he turned down a request from a Western European government to censor conservative voices in Romania ahead of the country’s high-stakes presidential election. While he did not name the government, a subtle emoji in his message — specifically, a baguette — sparked speculation that he was referring to France.
A Stand Against Political Censorship
In a post on his Telegram channel on Sunday, Durov stated:
"A Western European government... approached Telegram, asking us to silence conservative voices in Romania ahead of today's presidential elections. I flatly refused."
The timing of the alleged request is critical. Romanians headed to the polls on Sunday for a presidential run-off between a centrist independent and a hard-right eurosceptic. The election follows months of political tension, including the cancellation of a previous vote due to alleged Russian interference, which Moscow has denied. That vote had favoured far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who was later barred from running again.
Reaffirming his stance, Durov added: "Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users or block their political channels."
'You Either Have Freedom Or You Don’t'
Durov did not mince words about what he sees as the contradiction in trying to uphold democracy through censorship.
"You can't 'defend democracy' by destroying democracy. You can't 'fight election interference' by interfering with elections. You either have freedom of speech and fair elections — or you don't. And the Romanian people deserve both," he wrote.
This statement struck a chord online, especially as it came amid renewed scrutiny of digital platforms’ roles in political processes. Durov’s refusal signals Telegram’s continued resistance to content control by external authorities.
French Government Denies Any Involvement
The French foreign ministry quickly responded to the controversy. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the ministry refuted Durov’s implied accusation.
"Completely unfounded allegations are circulating on Telegram and Twitter (X) regarding alleged French interference in the Romanian presidential election," it said.
"France categorically rejects these allegations and calls on everyone to exercise responsibility and respect for Romanian democracy."
Completely unfounded allegations are circulating on Telegram and Twitter regarding alleged French interference in the Romanian presidential election.
— France Diplomacy 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) May 18, 2025
France categorically rejects these allegations and calls on everyone to exercise responsibility and respect for Romanian… pic.twitter.com/PxFO7KnzDm
Though Durov’s post did not explicitly name France, the baguette emoji — a symbol often associated with the country — was widely interpreted as a pointed clue.
Background on Durov’s Legal Troubles in France
Durov, who was born in Russia and now resides in Dubai, has previously had run-ins with French authorities. Last year, he was briefly detained in France during an investigation into illegal activities allegedly linked to Telegram, including child pornography, drug trafficking, and financial fraud. He denied any involvement and later returned to Dubai in March.
As election integrity debates intensify globally, Durov’s claims reignite discussions about the balance between national security, free speech, and platform neutrality. Whether or not France was the government in question, the incident underscores the growing geopolitical stakes tech platforms face in politically charged climates.
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