Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused France’s top intelligence official, Nicolas Lerner, of pressuring him to ban conservative Romanian voices from the platform ahead of Romania’s presidential elections. Durov claims he refused the request, citing his long-standing policy against political censorship.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Durov said the conversation occurred earlier this year at Paris’ luxurious Hôtel de Crillon, where he has been under judicial supervision following a French investigation into alleged criminal activity on Telegram.
“This spring at the Salon des Batailles, Nicolas Lerner asked me to ban conservative voices in Romania ahead of elections. I refused,” Durov wrote. “We didn’t block protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran. We won’t start doing it in Europe.”
Romanian Election Result Sparks Controversy
The claim emerged shortly after centrist candidate Nicușor Dan won Romania’s presidential race, defeating nationalist rival George Simion, who had run on a platform inspired by Donald Trump-style populism. Simion’s defeat was seen as a relief to European Union leaders concerned about growing far-right influence across the continent.
France’s DGSE Denies Allegation
In response, France’s DGSE (Directorate-General for External Security) acknowledged multiple past meetings with Durov to discuss Telegram’s responsibility in combating terrorism and child exploitation. However, the agency “vigorously refuted” any claim of political interference, stating that no requests were made to censor accounts related to electoral processes.
Elon Musk Weighs In
Elon Musk, owner of X and a prominent supporter of right-wing causes, reposted Durov’s statement, commenting, “Wow.” Musk’s amplification drew further attention to the accusation amid wider debates over digital free speech and state influence on social media platforms.
Musk himself is under investigation in France for alleged algorithmic bias on X and has been criticised for using his platform to support right-wing parties in countries such as Germany and the UK, raising concerns over potential foreign interference in domestic elections.
Telegram’s Free Speech Stance
Durov reaffirmed Telegram’s commitment to freedom of expression, emphasising that the platform would not restrict Romanian users or block political content. “Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users,” he wrote, subtly referencing France with a baguette emoji.
Meanwhile, France’s foreign ministry denied any interference and called for “responsibility and respect for Romanian democracy.”
