France probes Musk’s X over algorithm, data misuse claims
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French prosecutors launch a criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X over suspected algorithmic manipulation and foreign interference.
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Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House, on May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, over suspicions of algorithmic manipulation and foreign interference. The probe was launched on Wednesday, according to public prosecutor Laure Beccuau, and it will assess whether the platform violated French laws related to data use and the integrity of democratic discourse.
The inquiry expands upon a preliminary investigation opened in January, following complaints from a French lawmaker and a senior civil servant. One of the complaints alleged that X disseminated "an enormous amount of hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+ and homophobic political content," with the intent to influence public opinion and distort the democratic process in France.
The investigation focuses on claims that X altered its recommendation algorithms in a way that may have facilitated the spread of targeted political content. That said, prosecutors are set to examine whether user data was harvested unlawfully as part of broader concerns about digital manipulation and interference from foreign actors.
This X platform investigation is unfolding amid rising international concerns about how algorithmic systems can be leveraged to sway public sentiment and disrupt electoral or policy debates.
Growing regulatory pressure from France and EU
The case adds to an expanding web of regulatory scrutiny surrounding X, both in France and at the European level. Just a day before the announcement of the criminal probe, two French Members of Parliament submitted a separate complaint to the French media and digital communications regulator, Arcom. Their action followed reports that X’s AI chatbot, Grok, had published racist content in response to user inputs.
In parallel, the European Commission is continuing a long-running investigation into X under the Digital Services Act. The probe initially targeted the spread of misinformation but was broadened in January to include a review of algorithmic operations. The expansion came after Elon Musk aired an interview with Alice Weidel, head of Germany’s far-right AfD party, on the platform.
AI Chatbot Grok raises further concerns
The incident involving Grok has further fueled criticism of X’s moderation practices and algorithmic transparency. Critics argue that the AI’s capacity to reproduce or amplify hateful content highlights the potential dangers of automated systems operating without effective oversight.
French legislators have pointed to Grok’s responses as emblematic of a broader failure to safeguard users against discriminatory or unlawful content.
The ongoing EU inquiry under the Digital Services Act reflects mounting demands for stronger regulation of large technology platforms. While the Commission has not commented on the French criminal case, it has emphasized the importance of platform accountability, particularly in cases involving algorithmic influence and the potential misuse of user data.
As public pressure increases, regulators across the EU are calling for decisive action. The outcome of the French probe could serve as a precedent for similar investigations in other member states, intensifying the regulatory landscape for X and comparable platforms.
