French cybercrime authorities, supported by officers from the European Union's police agency Europol, executed a significant search operation at the Paris offices of social media platform X on Tuesday. The Paris public prosecutor's office confirmed the action, stating it forms a crucial part of an ongoing judicial investigation initiated in January 2025.
Investigation Focuses on Algorithmic Influence in Politics
The core of the investigation examines whether X's proprietary algorithms were deliberately manipulated or designed to interfere with democratic processes within French politics. Prosecutors are particularly concerned about potential distortions in political discourse and electoral integrity that may have resulted from the platform's automated systems.
High-Profile Summons Issued
In a parallel development, French judicial authorities have formally summoned both Elon Musk, the platform's owner, and Linda Yaccarino, who served as X's CEO until her resignation in July 2024. Both have been requested to attend voluntary interviews in Paris on April 20, 2026.
The prosecutor's office clarified the legal basis for these summons, noting they were sent to Musk and Yaccarino "in their capacity as de facto and de jure managers of the X platform at the time of the events under investigation." Yaccarino's departure after two years leading the company does not exempt her from scrutiny regarding decisions made during her tenure.
Complaints Trigger Broader Inquiry
The investigation originated from two formal complaints filed in January 2025, which prompted initial judicial scrutiny. The scope subsequently expanded following additional reports that criticised X's AI chatbot, Grok, for its alleged role in disseminating Holocaust denial content and sexually explicit deepfake material.
One particularly significant complaint came from Eric Bothorel, a member of parliament representing President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Renaissance party. Bothorel expressed concerns about "reduced diversity of voices and options" on the platform and highlighted what he described as Musk's "personal interventions" in content management since acquiring the company.
Prosecutors Allege Algorithmic Bias
The Paris public prosecutor's office has publicly denounced what it describes as potentially biased algorithms that may have "distorted the operation of an automated data processing system." This legal characterisation suggests authorities are examining whether X's systems violated French laws governing digital platforms and electoral integrity.
X's Response and Corporate Defence
Laurent Buanec, who serves as X's country director for France, previously challenged the investigation's premise in January 2025. At that time, he asserted that X maintained "strict, clear and public rules" designed to protect users from hate speech and disinformation. The company has consistently maintained that its content moderation policies and algorithmic systems operate within legal frameworks.
This investigation represents one of the most significant European legal challenges to a major social media platform's algorithmic systems and their potential impact on democratic processes. The involvement of Europol underscores the cross-border dimensions of the case, while the summons to Musk and Yaccarino indicates the seriousness with which French authorities are treating the allegations.
