PAvel Durov Says No to Censorship as Romania Headed to the Polls

A heated clash between tech platforms and European authorities continues to unfold. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has called out what he sees as election interference by governments asking him to limit speech — and he is refusing to back down.

Good to know

• Pavel Durov refused a request from a European country to censor Telegram content before Romania’s election.
• Durov criticized the French government for issuing an arrest warrant without using legal channels.
• Telegram says it responds to legitimate law enforcement requests through official representatives.

Pavel Durov did not stay silent when a Western European country asked him to censor political views on Telegram. The request came just before Romania’s presidential election on May 18. Though he did not name the country directly, he hinted at it using a baguette emoji — suggesting France.

“You can’t ‘defend democracy’ by destroying democracy,” Durov posted on Telegram the same day as the Romanian vote. “You either have freedom of speech and fair elections — or you don’t. And the Romanian people deserve both.”

Durov has long championed free expression, autonomy, and privacy. In crypto circles and among digital rights advocates, he is known for taking strong positions against censorship.

Arrest in France Sparked Backlash

In August 2024, Durov was arrested in France, drawing sharp criticism from free speech activists and the crypto community. The timing and context led many to accuse the French government of using law enforcement to apply pressure on Telegram.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded with a public statement on X, claiming the arrest had no political motivation and affirming that the country remains “committed to freedom of expression and communication.”