In a move that has sparked a wave of political debate, Telegram founder Pavel Durov revealed on Sunday that he refused a request from a Western European government to suppress conservative voices in Romania ahead of the country’s high-stakes presidential election. Although Durov did not specifically name the country behind the request, a subtle clue—a baguette emoji—hinted that France may have been involved.
Romania went to the polls on Sunday in a presidential runoff between a centrist independent candidate and a hard-right, eurosceptic contender. The result is expected to have significant consequences for Romania’s fragile economy and its relationship with the European Union. The race has already been marred by controversy, including the cancellation of an earlier vote due to alleged Russian interference—allegations Moscow denies.
In a strongly worded post on his Telegram channel, 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.”
Durov emphasized that Telegram would not restrict political discussions or limit users’ freedoms, especially not during a democratic process. He wrote:
“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.”
This statement triggered swift backlash from France. The French Foreign Ministry, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), rejected the claims outright.
“Completely unfounded allegations are circulating on Telegram and Twitter regarding alleged French interference in the Romanian presidential election,” the ministry wrote. “France categorically rejects these allegations and calls on everyone to exercise responsibility and respect for Romanian democracy.”
The controversy comes at a critical time in Romania, where political tensions are high and public trust in institutions is fragile. The earlier election cancellation raised eyebrows across Europe, especially as it followed claims of external meddling to benefit far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who was subsequently banned from running again.
Pavel Durov’s comments have reignited the debate over tech platforms’ roles in elections and freedom of speech. Telegram, known for its strong stance on privacy and minimal moderation, has often come under fire from governments across the globe for hosting politically sensitive content.
Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur based in Dubai, has had his share of legal troubles. Last year, he was detained in France as part of an investigation involving Telegram’s use in illegal activities including child exploitation and drug trafficking. Durov denied all allegations and has since returned to Dubai, maintaining control over the messaging app.
This latest episode illustrates the growing tension between governments and tech platforms, especially during elections. While some authorities push for tighter controls in the name of national security, others view such measures as an infringement on democratic freedoms.
As the world watches Romania’s election results unfold, Durov’s refusal to comply with censorship demands will likely be celebrated by free speech advocates—and condemned by critics who fear the unchecked power of digital platforms.
