Telegram founder Pavel Durov has disclosed that French intelligence attempted to pressure him into censoring Moldovan Telegram channels ahead of a presidential election. Durov revealed on his Telegram channel that about a year ago, while in Paris, he was approached by an intermediary on behalf of French intelligence. The request was to assist the Moldovan government by removing certain channels. Durov stated that some channels on the initial list were removed for rule violations. However, a second list included channels flagged merely for expressing dissenting views against the French and Moroccan governments. Telegram refused to comply with this request, emphasizing its stance against political censorship.