⚖️ France criminally investigating X

France Opens Criminal Probe into X Over Algorithm Manipulation

The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched a formal criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, focusing on alleged algorithm manipulation tied to foreign interference. The case targets both the company as a legal entity and unnamed individuals, probing possible offences including “alteration of an automated data system” and “fraudulent data extraction by an organized group.” The inquiry stems from reports submitted by a cybersecurity official and French MP Éric Bothorel, and builds on earlier findings from the cybercrime division.

Musk’s AI Bot and Content Bias Fuel Broader Alarm

The investigation gained urgency after X’s AI chatbot, Grok, pushed antisemitic content, one of several incidents raising alarms about platform integrity. MP Bothorel, who filed one of the complaints, argued that X’s algorithmic bias appears to reflect Elon Musk’s political views and warned that such manipulation risks undermining democratic discourse. The European Commission has also signalled concern, staying in contact with X amid growing scrutiny.

Expect AI Accountability to Spread Across Borders

This case shows Europe’s growing willingness to treat algorithmic manipulation as a criminal matter. Platforms deploying AI for content ranking or moderation, especially in politically sensitive contexts, should prepare for deeper legal exposure. Companies must audit their algorithms, document design decisions, and implement safeguards against weaponization. What began as a reputational issue is fast becoming a prosecutorial one.

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