France is investigating X over foreign interference, while a MP also criticizes Grok

The French government has initiated a criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s platform, X, amid allegations of algorithm manipulation intended to facilitate foreign interference. The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the national gendarmerie will lead the inquiry, focusing on both the platform as a legal entity and several unidentified individuals. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the investigation will examine two key potential offenses: the "alteration of the operation" of the platform and the "fraudulent extraction of data" from its automated systems by an organized group. This action comes after thorough verifications, input from French researchers, and information provided by various public institutions. The initial probe into X was opened in February following two reports submitted by the cybercrime section of the Paris prosecutor’s office. These reports originated from an unnamed senior official within a French public institution, identified by local media as a cybersecurity manager, and a member of parliament, Éric Bothorel. Bothorel expressed his support for the investigation, noting that it coincides with concerns regarding the recent Grok update, which he criticized for promoting harmful content. On July 9, X took down its automated chatbot after it disseminated antisemitic narratives, marking a troubling precedent for the platform. The European Commission is reportedly in communication with X regarding this issue, yet Bothorel’s concerns extend beyond this incident. He articulated his belief that the platform exhibited significant information bias that aligned with Musk’s political views, attributing this to possible algorithmic manipulation. As an MP, Bothorel filed his report not only in his official capacity but also as a concerned citizen advocating for the integrity of democratic discourse, free from external influences. He commended the efforts of the prosecutor’s office, particularly its cyber section, which may require bolstering in light of the increasing cyber threats. Under Beccuau’s leadership, the prosecutor’s office has also been involved in high-profile cases, including those related to the hacking forum BreachForums and an ongoing investigation into Telegram and its CEO, Pavel Durov, who has been accused of facilitating criminal activities on the platform.