The investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X has escalated in France, as the Paris prosecutor’s office called on police to probe suspected abuses involving algorithms and fraudulent data extraction linked to the company or its executives. This development adds mounting pressure on Musk, who has publicly accused European governments of infringing on free speech and has expressed support for several far-right parties across the region.
Authorities in France now have the authority to conduct searches, wiretaps, surveillance, or summon Musk and X executives for questioning. Should any individuals refuse to cooperate, an international arrest warrant could be issued. X has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The preliminary inquiry began in January following complaints from a French lawmaker and a senior official concerning alleged foreign interference via the platform, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated. On July 9, after reviewing initial evidence from researchers and public institutions, prosecutors requested the police to investigate X both as a corporate entity and through individuals.
The suspected offenses include “organized interference with the functioning of an automated data processing system” and “organized fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system.”
This probe into a major tech figure risks intensifying tensions between Washington and European capitals over acceptable online discourse. In a related context, Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, remains under judicial supervision in France after his arrest last year on charges of alleged organized crime related to his app, charges he denies. Musk has criticized Durov’s arrest, which has sparked debates about free speech, including discussions by senior officials aligned with former President Trump.
Musk has actively used X to support right-wing political groups in France, Germany, and Britain. While he previously aligned closely with Trump, the two have diverged recently over federal budget issues, with Musk now pursuing the creation of his own political party.