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Telegram’s Pavel Durov Accuses France of Election Interference, Authorities Deny Claims

Durov alleges French intelligence pressured Telegram to censor Romanian conservatives; France, Romania, and DGSE refute the accusations.

Une femme sort d’une cabine de vote aux couleurs du drapeau roumain lors du second tour de l’élection présidentielle à Bucarest, en Roumanie, dimanche 18 mai 2025.
Pavel Durov, patron de Telegram, affirme avoir été approché par la France pour étouffer les voix conservatrices en Roumanie.
Pavel Durov, cofondateur de Telegram, au tribunal de Paris le 6 décembre 2024.
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Overview

  • Telegram founder Pavel Durov accused French authorities of requesting the platform to silence conservative voices in Romania's presidential election, a claim he says he rejected.
  • The French Foreign Ministry labeled Durov's allegations as 'totally unfounded,' emphasizing respect for Romania's democratic process.
  • The DGSE confirmed prior contact with Durov over counterterrorism but strongly denied any requests related to Romanian election content moderation.
  • Romania’s government dismissed the interference claims, attributing them to Russian disinformation aimed at destabilizing the election.
  • Pro-European candidate Nicusor Dan won Romania’s presidential runoff with 54% of the vote, concluding a tense political season marked by disinformation concerns.