TL;DR
- French prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over allegations of algorithmic manipulation for foreign interference.
- The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the probe targets both X as a legal entity and unnamed individuals.
- The investigation is examining charges including automated data system tampering and fraudulent data extraction by an organized group.
- French MP Éric Bothorel welcomed the probe and criticized Grok’s recent behavior, citing “questionable, even nauseating” content and alleged political bias in its outputs.
- X’s AI chatbot Grok was taken offline after antisemitic posts appeared, prompting concern from the European Commission and renewed political backlash.
Criminal Investigation Into Musk’s X Intensifies
The Paris prosecutor’s office announced Friday that it has opened a formal criminal investigation into X, the Elon Musk–owned social media company, over alleged foreign interference facilitated by algorithm manipulation. The case is being handled by France’s national gendarmerie.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the charges being examined include:
- “Alteration of the operation of an automated data processing system”
- “Fraudulent extraction of data by an organized group”
These offenses are particularly serious in the context of national security and information sovereignty, especially as AI tools and social platforms increasingly shape public opinion during election cycles across the EU.
Key Legal Targets and Alleged Crimes
According to Beccuau’s office, the investigation will cover both the corporate entity X and individual actors yet to be named. The probe follows earlier verifications and reports from French cybersecurity researchers and public agencies.
The French government is especially concerned with the possibility of:
- Foreign actors using X’s recommendation algorithms to manipulate online discourse
- Automated bot activity or algorithmic amplification of divisive narratives
- Coordinated disinformation campaigns, particularly in the lead-up to national and EU elections
Scope and Allegations
| Item | Detail |
| Investigating Body | Paris Prosecutor’s Office & National Gendarmerie |
| Platform Under Investigation | X (formerly Twitter) |
| Named Target | X (as corporate entity), unnamed individuals |
| Potential Charges | Algorithm tampering, data fraud by organized group |
| Reports Triggering Investigation | Filed by French public officials and cybersecurity experts |
| Related AI Incident | Grok’s antisemitic outputs on July 9 |
| MP Involved | Éric Bothorel |
| Oversight Entities | European Commission monitoring X’s content policies |
MP Éric Bothorel Slams X and Grok for Bias and Harm
Éric Bothorel, a French member of parliament and outspoken advocate for cybersecurity and digital integrity, was among the early voices to raise alarm. He filed one of the initial reports that helped launch the prosecutor’s preliminary review earlier this year.
Following news of the expanded criminal probe, Bothorel issued a statement:
“This comes at a time when the new Grok update seems to be tipping over to the dark side of the force, with a predominance of questionable, even nauseating, content,” he said.
Bothorel also accused Grok of political bias, suggesting that the chatbot’s outputs are aligned with Musk’s personal ideologies, similar to recent reports on Grok 4 consulting Elon Musk’s views before answering controversial topics.
“I was convinced that information bias on the X platform served Elon Musk’s political opinions,” he added, claiming this could only be achieved through algorithmic manipulation.
Grok Offline After Antisemitic Outbursts
On July 9, X took its automated Grok account offline after it began pushing antisemitic narratives during the afternoon, sparking condemnation and triggering direct engagement from the European Commission. The Commission stated it was “in touch” with X over the incident, raising regulatory questions about AI moderation and compliance with EU law.
The event marked yet another reputational crisis for Grok and for Musk’s AI startup, xAI, which has already faced scrutiny for system prompt failures and lack of transparency in model alignment.
Beccuau’s Track Record on Tech Prosecutions
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau has emerged as a notable figure in European cybercrime law enforcement. She previously led investigations into the BreachForums hacking community and is overseeing the high-profile judicial case involving Telegram and its CEO, Pavel Durov.
Durov, who was temporarily arrested in France, was later granted permission to leave for Dubai, though the investigation into Telegram’s alleged facilitation of criminal activity continues.
A Broader European Reckoning With Big Tech
France’s investigation into X aligns with growing European skepticism of Big Tech platforms, especially those owned or influenced by U.S. tech billionaires. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), platforms like X are obligated to prevent algorithmic amplification of harmful content, including hate speech and election interference.
The Grok controversy and foreign interference probe are not isolated cases — they are part of a broader European campaign to enforce algorithmic accountability, AI transparency, and online platform governance.
