The French prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X platform for allegedly using its algorithms for foreign interference.
According to a statement made by Judge Laure Beccuau on Friday, prosecutors have initiated an inquiry to determine whether X has violated French law by fraudulently extracting user data through algorithm manipulation.
The investigation was launched after two reports were submitted to the Paris prosecutor's cybercrime department on January 12—one from Éric Bothorel, a member of the Republican Renaissance party led by French President Macron, and another from a senior government official whose identity remains undisclosed.
In a statement posted on X by Bothorel on Friday, he wrote that he submitted the preliminary inquiry because he "believes that extreme information bias on the X platform is being used to serve Musk's political views, which can only be achieved through algorithm manipulation." He added that he is pleased that "the French judicial system is taking meaningful steps to combat foreign interference."
The case was transferred to the National Gendarmerie on Wednesday, officially initiating the investigation into X.
The investigation focuses on two aspects: the manipulation of automated data processing systems as part of an organized group, and the fraudulent extraction of data from automated data processing systems as part of an organized group.
The J3 cybercrime department in France will lead this investigation. J3 previously conducted investigations and arrested Telegram founder Pavel Durov in August 2024.
Since Musk's acquisition of X in 2022, the platform has faced multiple conflicts with regulators, particularly in Europe. In February, two German NGOs won a ruling from the Berlin District Court requiring X to provide publicly available engagement data to assist researchers in analyzing potential electoral interference.
The European Union is investigating whether X may have violated the Digital Services Act. This new landmark regulation requires online platforms to remove illegal content and increase algorithm transparency.
As Musk pushes to transform X into a cryptocurrency-centric financial hub, the growing pressure from European regulators may undermine the trust he needs to obtain approval for providing financial services in the EU.
Related: The U.S. Democrats counter the digital asset bill with "Anti-Crypto Corruption Week"
Original: “France Launches Criminal Investigation into X Platform for Alleged Algorithm Manipulation”
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