- France launched a criminal investigation into X for alleged algorithm manipulation and data misuse.
- The case follows earlier complaints about hate speech and foreign influence via the platform.
- X is also facing EU scrutiny under the Digital Services Act, with mounting regulatory pressure across Europe.
French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, over claims that the company tampered with its algorithms to interfere with democratic processes. The investigation, made public Friday by Paris magistrate Laure Beccuau, could mark a serious escalation in the regulatory spotlight on Musk’s controversial tech empire.
The probe, launched Wednesday, will examine whether X violated French law by intentionally modifying its algorithms and illegally extracting data from users. Prosecutors say the case stems from complaints filed by a French lawmaker and an unnamed high-ranking civil servant.
Complaints Tie X to Foreign Influence and Hateful Content
This isn’t the first time X has raised alarms in France. Back in January, the platform was the subject of an inquiry following accusations of spreading a “massive volume” of hate speech—including racist, anti-LGBTQ+, and politically manipulative content—aimed at distorting public discourse.
That earlier inquiry has now snowballed into this full-blown criminal investigation. According to prosecutors, the initial complaint specifically accused X of promoting content that could skew the democratic debate in France, pointing to algorithmic manipulation as a central concern.
POLITICO reports that it reached out to X for comment, but as of now, no public statement has been made by the company.
Grok AI Under Fire, EU Probe Expands
Meanwhile, X’s AI chatbot Grok is also under scrutiny. Two French parliamentarians recently flagged the platform to Arcom, France’s digital watchdog, after Grok reportedly generated anti-Semitic and racist content. That referral adds another layer of legal heat for the Musk-owned company.
And across the continent, things aren’t much calmer. The European Commission has been investigating X since 2023 under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). While the probe initially focused on misinformation, it expanded in January to include X’s algorithmic practices—right after Musk streamed a headline-grabbing interview with far-right German politician Alice Weidel.
Regulatory Pressure Builds Around Musk’s Social Platform
The calls to conclude the EU’s DSA investigation have grown louder in recent months, especially as misinformation and hate speech remain persistent issues on the platform. France’s new criminal case could add serious legal weight to the pressure already mounting in Brussels.
With multiple regulatory bodies circling and fresh allegations of algorithmic abuse, X is entering a critical period of legal and reputational risk—not just in France, but across the EU.
