Paris prosecutors have executed a significant raid on the French offices of Elon Musk's social media platform X, marking a major escalation in an ongoing cyber-crime investigation. The tech billionaire has been formally summoned to appear at a court hearing in Paris on 20 April 2026, following a year-long probe into suspected abuses of algorithms by the platform or its executives.
Investigation Widens to Include AI Chatbot Grok
French authorities announced on Tuesday that they have expanded their investigation following multiple complaints concerning X's AI chatbot, Grok. Prosecutors stated that investigators will examine the creation of images depicting child pornography and violations of personal image rights through sexually explicit deepfakes, alongside other potential criminal activities.
Prosecutors Emphasise Constructive Approach
The prosecutor's office released a statement clarifying their intentions: "At this stage, the conduct of this investigation is part of a constructive approach, with the aim of ultimately ensuring that the X platform complies with French laws, insofar as it operates on national territory." This indicates a focus on regulatory compliance rather than punitive measures alone.
Elon Musk has previously denied all accusations, claiming in July that French prosecutors were launching a "politically-motivated criminal investigation." The Independent has contacted X for further comment regarding the latest developments, but no immediate response has been received.
Background and Broader Implications
This investigation represents a critical test of how European authorities enforce digital regulations against global tech giants. The raid and court summons come amid increasing scrutiny of social media platforms' content moderation practices and their adherence to national laws. The inclusion of AI-related complaints highlights growing concerns about the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence technologies in public-facing applications.
As the situation develops, observers will be watching closely to see how this case influences the broader relationship between tech companies and European regulatory bodies. The outcome could set important precedents for how similar platforms are governed across the continent.
