French authorities raided the Paris headquarters of Elon Musk’s social media platform X today, escalating a year-old cybercrime probe into alleged algorithmic manipulation and illicit content distribution.
The operation, led by the Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit alongside France’s national cybercrime police and Europol, marks a significant intensification of scrutiny on X’s data practices and moderation failures.
The search commenced early Tuesday at X’s French offices, focusing on evidence related to suspected abuses. Prosecutors have summoned Musk, X’s chairman, and former CEO Linda Yaccarino, who resigned in July 2025, for voluntary questioning on April 20 in Paris, alongside other employees as witnesses. No arrests were reported, and the probe remains preliminary, with authorities emphasizing compliance with French digital laws.
Opened on January 5, 2025, following a lawmaker’s complaint, the inquiry initially focused on claims that biased algorithms were distorting automated data processing systems on X.
It expanded in July 2025 amid reports of X’s AI chatbot Grok disseminating Holocaust denial content and sexually explicit deepfakes infringing image rights. Further allegations include complicity in retaining and distributing child exploitation imagery, potentially punishable by up to 10 years in prison under French law.
Specific Cybercrime Allegations
Investigators are probing “fraudulent data extraction” and organized manipulation of X’s recommendation algorithms, which allegedly amplified harmful content.
The case also examines Grok’s role in generating or promoting illegal materials, highlighting vulnerabilities in AI moderation on social platforms. Europol’s involvement underscores cross-border concerns over platform accountability in cyber-enabled crimes like deepfake proliferation and non-consensual imagery.
X has not yet commented on the raid but previously dismissed the probe as “politically motivated,” denying algorithm tampering or data breaches.
In a notable backlash, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced it would cease using X for official communications, pivoting to LinkedIn and Instagram. This move amplifies tensions between regulators and tech giants amid Europe’s push for stricter digital services enforcement.
The raid signals heightened French enforcement against Big Tech’s cyber risks, from AI-driven misinformation to content moderation lapses.
Experts warn it could set precedents for international probes into algorithmic bias and deepfake threats, urging platforms to bolster AI safeguards. As hearings loom, X faces potential fines or operational curbs in the EU, underscoring the collision of free speech and cybercrime prevention.
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