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@ Samuel Gabriel
2025-05-18 22:03:21
Telegram Pushes Back Against French Pressure to Censor Romanian Conservatives
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This spring, Telegram founder Pavel Durov disclosed a behind-the-scenes attempt by French intelligence to interfere with political discourse in Romania. According to Durov, Nicolas Lerner—the head of France’s DGSI—personally requested that Telegram suppress conservative voices in Romania ahead of their national elections.
The meeting took place at the Salon des Batailles in the Hôtel de Crillon, a historic Parisian venue. Durov’s response was unequivocal: he refused.
“We didn’t block protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran,” he said. “We won’t start doing it in Europe.”
The post, which quickly garnered over 5 million views, has ignited global debate over government pressure on tech platforms and the weaponization of moderation tools. Many see Durov’s defiance as a rare stand for free speech in a digital age increasingly defined by censorship, surveillance, and state manipulation.
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As European elections loom, the incident raises serious questions about the boundaries of democratic integrity and whether Western institutions are crossing the line they once condemned others for breaching.