Elon Musk Fails to Appear for French Legal Interview Over X and Grok AI Allegations
Elon Musk, the American tech billionaire, has snubbed a voluntary legal summons issued by French authorities, electing not to attend a scheduled interview in Paris on Monday. The summons was part of an ongoing investigation by the French cybercrime unit into allegations concerning his social media platform X and its AI chatbot, Grok.
Prosecutors Proceed Despite Musk's Absence
French prosecutors confirmed that they had taken note of the absence of the first individuals summoned, without explicitly naming Musk. They emphasised that the non-attendance does not hinder the continuation of the investigation. The summons was issued in February as part of a probe launched in January 2025, initially focusing on claims that X's algorithm was used to interfere in French politics. The scope has since been expanded to include the dissemination of Holocaust denial material and sexual deepfakes generated by Grok.
Background of the Investigation and Musk's Response
In February, French authorities also conducted searches at the Paris offices of X, which the company criticised as politicised and an abusive judicial act. Musk and then-CEO Linda Yaccarino were summoned as the de facto and de jure managers of X during the relevant events, a move Musk labelled a political attack. Yaccarino resigned from her role in July last year after two years leading the company.
Musk had previously insulted the French authorities involved, calling them retards in a French-language post on X weeks earlier. Prosecutors have stated that employees of X were also summoned to appear as witnesses between 20 and 24 April, with their attendance being voluntary and not essential for the investigation's progress.
Allegations and International Backlash
The French investigation centres on several suspected criminal offences, including complicity in possessing child sexual abuse material and denial of crimes against humanity. X has dismissed the probe as politically motivated, a sentiment echoed by Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, who is himself under investigation in France. Durov claimed that Emmanuel Macron's France is weaponising criminal investigations to suppress free speech and privacy.
This investigation occurs amid a broader international backlash against Grok AI, following reports that it could generate sexualised images of women and children. According to the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Grok produced an estimated 3 million sexualised images in 11 days, including 23,000 that appeared to depict children. Separate investigations have been launched by Britain's data regulator and the EU over concerns about compliance with personal data laws and the generation of sexualised deepfakes.
Ongoing Legal and Regulatory Scrutiny
French prosecutors have not disclosed details about the location or timing of Musk's scheduled interview, but they remain committed to advancing the case. The investigation highlights growing regulatory challenges for tech giants, particularly in areas involving AI ethics, content moderation, and international law enforcement cooperation.
