Durov: 'Telegram received censorship request before Romanian elections'

Telegram founder Pavel Durov stated that a European government requested the implementation of censorship on Telegram in Romania, where presidential elections are being held today.

In his post, Durov stated, “A government in Western Europe (you guess which one) asked Telegram to silence conservatives in Romania on the eve of the presidential elections. I flatly refused.”

Stating that the messaging app would not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users or block their political channels, Durov emphasized that a government ‘cannot defend democracy by destroying it’ and should not interfere in elections.

Either you have freedom of speech and fair elections, or you don't. And the Romanian people deserve both.

The second round of the presidential elections is being held in Romania today. In the first round held on May 4, George Simion, leader of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians party, received the most votes with 41 percent. Independent candidate and Mayor of Bucharest Nicuşor Dan placed second with 21 percent of the vote.

News Source: 12punto