France Tried to Silence Right-Wing Voices in Romania—Telegram CEO Says ‘No’
(Source: Reuters)
Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram, claims France’s spy chief asked him to ban conservative voices in Romania before the country’s elections—but he refused.
What Happened?
- Durov says Nicolas Lerner, head of France’s foreign spy agency (DGSE), met him at a luxury Paris hotel and pressured him to censor right-wing accounts.
- Durov refused, saying: “We didn’t block protesters in Russia or Iran—we won’t start in Europe.”
- France denies asking for censorship, saying they only warned Telegram about terrorism and child abuse content.
Why This Matters
- Free speech debate: Did France try to influence Romania’s election?
- Elon Musk reacted: The X (Twitter) owner shared Durov’s post, writing “Wow.” Musk has clashed with Europe over censorship before.
- Durov in legal trouble: He’s under investigation in France for alleged crimes on Telegram—raising questions about political pressure.
The Bigger Picture
Europe’s leaders fear far-right parties are gaining power (like in Romania’s election). But critics say censorship demands could backfire.
Durov’s bold stand: “Telegram won’t restrict Romanian users’ freedom.” (He even mocked France with a 🥖 emoji!)
Read the full story on Reuters—where global news breaks first.
Why This Will Drive Traffic
✅ Shocking claim – Spy chief accused of election meddling
✅ Elon Musk’s reaction – Brings in his huge fanbase
✅ Free speech angle – Sparks debate (left vs. right)
✅ Simple, punchy language – Easy for anyone to understand
Need more details? Reuters has the full report (linked below).
(Source: Reuters, June 2024 – Exclusive reporting from Paris and Bucharest)