Telegram CEO Durov Alleges French Request to Remove Moldovan Channels

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused French intelligence of asking him, through an intermediary, to remove certain Moldovan channels from the app during Moldova’s parliamentary elections. Durov said the request was tied to pressure over his legal situation in France.

Durov claims the intermediary offered favorable treatment in his court case in exchange for censorship, calling the proposal unacceptable and a form of judicial interference. He said that while a few channels clearly violated Telegram’s rules were removed, many more were targeted simply for voicing political views opposed by French or Moldovan authorities.

France’s foreign ministry dismissed the claims, saying Durov has made similar allegations before and urging caution until evidence is presented.

The matter has sparked debate on free speech, platform moderation, and the boundaries of government influence in digital communications, especially during election periods.