France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
Paris prosecutors probe Elon Musk’s X platform amid complaints of algorithm bias and US criticism of the inquiry
French public prosecutors have initiated a criminal probe into Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter), focusing on suspected manipulation of its content‑recommendation algorithm and organised fraudulent extraction of data.
The investigation targets the platform as a legal entity and unnamed individuals within its leadership structure.
The case was opened after two separate January complaints to the Paris cybercrime unit.
One was filed by a member of parliament, Éric Bothorel of President Macron’s centrist party, alleging algorithmic bias that skewed political discourse; the other was submitted by a senior official in a French public institution.
Both alleged that X’s algorithm was used to facilitate foreign interference in public debate.
The probe is being conducted by France’s J3 cybercrime division of the national gendarmerie.
Authorities are specifically examining allegations of “organised tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system” and “organised fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system” by a coordinated group.
Paris prosecutors clarified that their request to X seeks access to its proprietary recommendation algorithm and not private user data.
X has not officially responded to the request.
X itself has publicly rejected the allegations as politically motivated.
The platform has refused to cooperate with the French authorities’ demands, stating that it believes the investigation misuses French law to restrict free speech and undermines due process.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov commented that the characterisation of tech platforms as criminal organisations in France could deter investment in the country’s tech sector.
He stated that “any tech company can be declared a ‘criminal gang’ in France” under such proceedings.
The French investigation coincides with broader scrutiny of X across the European Union under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Regulators are assessing potential violations around content moderation, algorithmic transparency and political ad targeting.
France’s digital regulator Arcom has also been referred the platform over recent incidents involving hate speech content generated by X’s AI chatbot, Grok.
On 26 July 2025, the United States State Department issued a statement condemning France’s probe, arguing that democratic governments should allow all voices to be heard and that the US would defend Americans’ free‑speech rights against foreign censorship.
The statement noted that a French prosecutor had classified X as an “organised crime group” and requested proprietary algorithm information.
The criminal investigation remains ongoing.
No individuals have been formally named, and X has declined to accede to authorities’ requests.
There are no reported charges at present, and the platform continues to contest the legal basis of the inquiry.
The investigation targets the platform as a legal entity and unnamed individuals within its leadership structure.
The case was opened after two separate January complaints to the Paris cybercrime unit.
One was filed by a member of parliament, Éric Bothorel of President Macron’s centrist party, alleging algorithmic bias that skewed political discourse; the other was submitted by a senior official in a French public institution.
Both alleged that X’s algorithm was used to facilitate foreign interference in public debate.
The probe is being conducted by France’s J3 cybercrime division of the national gendarmerie.
Authorities are specifically examining allegations of “organised tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system” and “organised fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system” by a coordinated group.
Paris prosecutors clarified that their request to X seeks access to its proprietary recommendation algorithm and not private user data.
X has not officially responded to the request.
X itself has publicly rejected the allegations as politically motivated.
The platform has refused to cooperate with the French authorities’ demands, stating that it believes the investigation misuses French law to restrict free speech and undermines due process.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov commented that the characterisation of tech platforms as criminal organisations in France could deter investment in the country’s tech sector.
He stated that “any tech company can be declared a ‘criminal gang’ in France” under such proceedings.
The French investigation coincides with broader scrutiny of X across the European Union under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Regulators are assessing potential violations around content moderation, algorithmic transparency and political ad targeting.
France’s digital regulator Arcom has also been referred the platform over recent incidents involving hate speech content generated by X’s AI chatbot, Grok.
On 26 July 2025, the United States State Department issued a statement condemning France’s probe, arguing that democratic governments should allow all voices to be heard and that the US would defend Americans’ free‑speech rights against foreign censorship.
The statement noted that a French prosecutor had classified X as an “organised crime group” and requested proprietary algorithm information.
The criminal investigation remains ongoing.
No individuals have been formally named, and X has declined to accede to authorities’ requests.
There are no reported charges at present, and the platform continues to contest the legal basis of the inquiry.
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