The probe, led by the Paris public prosecutor’s cybercrime unit with support from the French gendarmerie and Europol, targets a range of alleged offences tied to the platform’s algorithms and content moderation practices. Authorities are examining potential involvement in the distribution of illegal material, including child abuse imagery and sexually explicit deepfakes, as well as Holocaust denial content, raising significant legal concerns under French law.
The investigation originated from a complaint filed in January 2025 by French lawmaker Éric Bothorel, who accused X of algorithmic bias and potential “foreign interference” by amplifying problematic content and failing to ensure compliance with French cybersecurity and data laws. Prosecutors have also summoned Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for voluntary interviews as part of the ongoing inquiry.
French authorities said the operation is aimed at enforcing compliance with national legal obligations even as X has previously described similar probes as politically motivated and has resisted cooperation, particularly regarding access to proprietary algorithms and data.
The investigation reflects growing scrutiny across Europe over how major social networks handle harmful and illegal content, and it highlights escalating tensions between tech platforms and regulators seeking to enforce stricter digital safety standards.
