In brief
- Durov claims French intelligence demanded IP data and bans on political Telegram channels in Romania.
- France denies meddling, insisting its outreach focused on child safety and anti-terror efforts.
- The row shows growing concerns over authoritarian state overreach on encrypted platforms.
Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of encrypted messaging platform Telegram, confirmed that France’s foreign intelligence service asked him to ban conservative Romanian voices ahead of the May 2025 presidential election, citing terrorism and child safety concerns.
He refused.
“They met with me—allegedly to fight terrorism and child porn,” Durov wrote on X on Monday.
Durov claims the latter subject “was never even mentioned,” adding that the intelligence agency engaged in manipulative tactics, despite having other intentions.
“Their main focus was always geopolitics: Romania, Moldova, Ukraine,” Durov claimed.
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Author: Vince Dioquino
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