---
title: "Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users"
claim_id: "iMlj92UEu1TpCwVHLFou"
validity: 95
model: accounts/fireworks/models/kimi-k2p5
---

# Claim: Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users

Verdict: 95%
Model: Kimi K2.5
Checked on: 05/04/2026

## Verdict explanation

Based on my research, I can verify this claim:

**Verification Summary:**

- **This statement was made by Telegram's founder Pavel Durov** on May 18, 2025, in a post on the Telegram platform[^3]. Durov stated: "Telegram will not restrict the freedoms of Romanian users or block their political channels"[^3].

- **Context**: Durov made this statement after claiming a "Western European government" (which he appeared to imply was France via a baguette emoji) had approached Telegram asking to silence conservative voices in Romania ahead of presidential elections[^3]. He stated he "flatly refused" this request[^3].

- **Telegram's general stance**: The company has consistently positioned itself as a defender of free speech, with Durov previously stating "Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure"[^2].

- **Legal compliance note**: While Telegram has stated it won't restrict Romanian users' freedoms, transparency reports show Telegram does process data requests from Romanian authorities (37-119 requests per quarter in 2025, affecting 51-119 users per quarter)[^4]. These requests are processed according to their Privacy Policy section 8.3, which involves IP addresses and/or phone numbers, not blanket content restrictions[^4].

- **Caveat**: While Wikipedia lists Romania among countries where Telegram has been blocked[^1], the evidence from Reuters confirms that Telegram's official position is that they will not restrict Romanian users' freedoms or block political channels[^3].

**Overall validity**: 95%

[^3]:
    [Telegram founder says he rejected a Western request to silence ...](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/telegram-founder-says-he-rejects-request-silence-conservative-voices-romania-2025-05-18/)

[^2]:
    [Telegram app faces further restrictions, possible fines as Russian ...](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/telegram-messaging-app-faces-fines-114438698.html)

[^4]:
    [Romania 2025 Q1-\>Q4 · Issue \#77 · Te-k/telegram-transparency](https://github.com/Te-k/telegram-transparency/issues/77)

[^1]:
    [Censorship of Telegram - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_Telegram)

## Sources using this claim (1)

- [A Western European government (guess which 🥖) approached Telegram asking us to silence conservati…](/source/x:durov:1924124841629651023) — Unknown — 15 views