France Allegedly Tried to Pressure Telegram Into Censoring Political Content

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, has accused French intelligence services of attempting to coerce the platform into censoring political content related to Moldovan elections. The alleged demands were framed as part of judicial cooperation, with promises of favorable treatment in Durov's ongoing legal proceedings in France.

Telegram refused to comply, maintaining its stance against removing legitimate political channels. This confrontation highlights growing tensions between tech platforms and European governments over content moderation and information control.

Durov remains under judicial supervision in France following his August 2024 arrest, with no appeal date scheduled. The case raises significant concerns about freedom of expression and potential government overreach in digital spaces.