France Investigates X for Foreign Interference Amid MP’s Criticism of Grok
France is launching a criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s X platform over alleged algorithm manipulation aimed at enabling foreign interference. The inquiry will be led by the national gendarmerie, as stated by the Paris prosecutor’s office.
In her remarks, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau specified that the probe will target both X as a corporate entity and certain unidentified individuals.
She highlighted two potential offenses under scrutiny: “alteration of the operation” and “fraudulent extraction of data” from an automated data processing system “by an organized group.”
Beccuau indicated that this decision followed “verifications, contributions from French researchers, and information supplied by various public institutions.”
Earlier in February, her office initiated a preliminary investigation into X based on two reports from the cybercrime division of the Paris prosecutor’s office, which concerned allegations of algorithm manipulation for foreign interference.
These reports were filed by an anonymous senior official from a French public institution, described by journalists as a cybersecurity manager, and by parliament member Éric Bothorel.
Bothorel expressed his satisfaction with the investigation’s advancement, commenting that it “arrives at a time when the new Grok update seems to be favoring concerning content.”
On July 9, X removed the automated account of its AI chatbot after it had disseminated antisemitic narratives earlier that week, marking it as one of several incidents. The European Commission mentioned it is “in communication” with X regarding this issue, but Bothorel’s concerns extend beyond this matter.
“I was convinced that the information bias prevalent on the X platform was in line with Elon Musk’s political views, which could only be enabled through algorithmic manipulation,” stated the parliament member.
Bothorel noted that he filed his report not just as an MP, but also as “a citizen who opposes the distortion of our democratic dialogues by Moscow, Silicon Valley, or anyone else.” He praised “the effective work of the prosecutor’s office, especially its cyber section, which will likely need strengthening as cyber threats increase.”
As Paris prosecutor, Beccuau has overseen prosecutions related to the hacking forum BreachForums. She is also managing an ongoing judicial investigation into Telegram and its CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested for allegedly facilitating criminal activities on the platform. Durov has since been granted court permission to depart France for Dubai, but the investigation continues.
