Key Points
- France has launched a criminal investigation into X over potential election interference and algorithm manipulation.
- Authorities are demanding to see X’s recommendation algorithm and real-time user data.
- X is refusing to cooperate, calling the investigation “politically-motivated.”
- X claims the experts hired by France are biased and have shown “open hostility” towards the platform in the past.
French prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, over concerns of algorithm manipulation and election interference. The authorities are even looking into whether the company has engaged in “fraudulent data extraction” and have labeled X as an “organized gang.”
In a strong response, X’s Global Government Affairs team called the probe “politically-motivated” and announced it will not cooperate. The company is refusing to hand over its recommendation algorithm and real-time user data as requested by French authorities.
X’s refusal centers on the experts France has chosen for the investigation. The company claims that at least two of the experts, David Chavalarias and Maziyar Panahi, have a history of “open hostility towards X.” X argues that their involvement could lead to a predetermined outcome and is a violation of its right to due process.
The social media giant stated that the investigation “egregiously undermines X’s fundamental right to due process and threatens our users’ rights to privacy and free speech.” The probe was launched by French authorities on July 11, following reports from earlier this year, and is being led by a parliamentarian who has accused X of using its algorithm for “foreign interference.”
