The Paris Prosecutor’s office announced on Friday that it has initiated a criminal investigation into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, over allegations that it manipulated its content to facilitate “foreign interference.”
Magistrate Laure Beccuau confirmed that prosecutors are examining whether X violated French laws by altering its algorithms and unlawfully collecting user data. The investigation will also target senior officials at the company following two separate complaints filed in January.
Although the alleged crimes have not yet been officially categorized as “foreign interference” under a 2024 law, this could change as the investigation progresses. The complaints filed earlier this year claim that X’s algorithm was manipulated for potential foreign influence, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
The first complaint came from Eric Bothorel, a centrist member of the French parliament and ally of President Emmanuel Macron. Bothorel expressed concern over “recent changes to the X algorithm” and claimed there was “apparent interference in its management” since Musk’s acquisition of the platform. He raised alarms about the lack of transparency surrounding algorithmic adjustments and moderation decisions, as well as Musk’s personal involvement in platform management. “This poses a real threat to our democracies,” Bothorel said.
The second complaint was filed by a cybersecurity director working in the public sector, as reported by Le Canard Enchaîné. This complaint highlighted a “major modification” in the platform’s algorithm, alleging that it amplifies hateful, racist, and anti-LGBTQ content, which distorts democratic discourse in France.
The investigation also follows backlash over antisemitic and racist remarks made by Grok, the AI chatbot on X, which has prompted two French parliamentarians to refer the platform to France’s digital regulator, ARCOM, on Thursday.
In addition to this probe, X is under investigation by the European Commission, which has been looking into the platform’s adherence to the Digital Services Act for over two years. Initially focused on misinformation, the Commission expanded the inquiry in January to scrutinize X’s algorithms, particularly after Musk broadcasted an interview with far-right German party leader Alice Weidel, according to Politico.
In response to the allegations, Laurent Buanec, X’s director in France, stated on January 22 that the platform’s algorithm was designed to “avoid offering hateful content” and that X maintains “strict, clear, and public rules” to protect the platform from harmful discourse.
