French Prosecutors Launch Ongoing Investigation into Elon Musk's X Platform
Paris prosecutors have announced a search operation at the offices of Elon Musk's X platform, which is part of an ongoing investigation that began in January 2025. The raid was carried out by Paris and national cybercrime units, with support from Interpol. However, officials from X have yet to comment on the matter.
The probe focuses on allegations that X manipulated its algorithms to distort the operation of automated data processing systems, potentially giving greater prominence to certain political content without user knowledge - a move that could be considered a crime under French law. Musk and Linda Yaccarino, CEO of NBCUniversal, have been summoned for "voluntary interviews" in Paris on April 20.
The investigation has been ongoing for nearly a year, with investigators claiming that X's algorithms likely gave greater prominence to certain political content without user knowledge. The probe has also expanded to include charges such as "fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system by an organized group" and "complicity in the possession of images of minors representing a pedo-pornographic character".
X had previously denied allegations of manipulating its algorithms for "foreign interference" purposes, describing the raid as an "abuse of law enforcement theater" designed to achieve illegitimate political objectives. The company has categorically denied any wrongdoing and claims that the probe is baseless.
In another move, Paris prosecutors have announced that they will no longer use X for communication and instead opt for LinkedIn and Instagram going forward. This latest development marks a significant escalation in the tensions between French authorities and Musk's X platform.
Paris prosecutors have announced a search operation at the offices of Elon Musk's X platform, which is part of an ongoing investigation that began in January 2025. The raid was carried out by Paris and national cybercrime units, with support from Interpol. However, officials from X have yet to comment on the matter.
The probe focuses on allegations that X manipulated its algorithms to distort the operation of automated data processing systems, potentially giving greater prominence to certain political content without user knowledge - a move that could be considered a crime under French law. Musk and Linda Yaccarino, CEO of NBCUniversal, have been summoned for "voluntary interviews" in Paris on April 20.
The investigation has been ongoing for nearly a year, with investigators claiming that X's algorithms likely gave greater prominence to certain political content without user knowledge. The probe has also expanded to include charges such as "fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system by an organized group" and "complicity in the possession of images of minors representing a pedo-pornographic character".
X had previously denied allegations of manipulating its algorithms for "foreign interference" purposes, describing the raid as an "abuse of law enforcement theater" designed to achieve illegitimate political objectives. The company has categorically denied any wrongdoing and claims that the probe is baseless.
In another move, Paris prosecutors have announced that they will no longer use X for communication and instead opt for LinkedIn and Instagram going forward. This latest development marks a significant escalation in the tensions between French authorities and Musk's X platform.