Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly accused France’s intelligence chief of trying to interfere in Romania’s democratic process by requesting a ban on conservative voices on the messaging platform just before Romania’s presidential election.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Durov revealed that Nicolas Lerner, head of France’s intelligence agency, approached him earlier this year during a meeting in Paris with the request to block conservative channels in Romania. Durov said he refused the demand, emphasizing Telegram’s commitment to free speech, noting, “We didn’t block protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran. We won’t start doing it in Europe.”
This revelation comes hours after Romania’s surprising presidential election result, where centrist Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan defeated a hard-right nationalist candidate.
France’s Foreign Ministry swiftly denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and urging respect for Romanian democracy. Romanian officials have yet to comment on the claims.
Durov’s accusations highlight growing tensions around the role of encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram in political discourse and election integrity, especially in Europe. Telegram is known for its minimal content moderation, often sparking debate over free speech and state influence.
