French prosecutors investigate Elon Musk's X for alleged fraud and data tampering
- French prosecutors have launched a police investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform X over allegations of data tampering and fraud.
- The investigation focuses on two offenses: organized tampering with automated data processing systems and organized fraudulent data extraction.
- This inquiry underscores increasing scrutiny of social media companies and their role in data handling and foreign interference issues.
In France, prosecutors have initiated a police investigation regarding allegations of data tampering and fraud involving the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk. Announced on July 11, 2025, the inquiry will be conducted by a specialized branch of the French gendarmerie. The investigation specifically examines two particular offenses which include organized tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system and organized fraudulent extraction of data from such a system. The decision to pursue this inquiry follows allegations made by two individuals in January 2025. One of the informants is a member of the French Parliament, while the other is a senior official from a governmental agency. They alerted the prosecutor's cybercrimes unit, expressing concerns over X's algorithm being potentially used for foreign interference. While these allegations raise significant legal and ethical questions about data usage on social media platforms, the exact nature of the alleged interference, as well as the specifics of how the algorithm was purported to be manipulated, remain undisclosed. As the investigation unfolds, it aims to clarify the responsibilities of both the platform and any involved individuals. The Paris prosecutor's office has stated that they are acting on the information provided by the informants, as well as after conducting their own preliminary verifications, further reinforced by contributions from French researchers and various public institutions. This procedural step highlights the growing scrutiny that social media companies face in regard to data practices and their influence on public discourse. The inquiry poses potential implications not only for X and its operations under Elon Musk but also for the broader field of social media regulation. Given the increasing concerns over data privacy and foreign influence in online platforms, other countries might take similar actions in the future. As the investigation develops, public interest will likely focus on the repercussions that may arise from the findings, including legal consequences or shifts in policy regarding data handling by social media companies.