By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
French authorities have intensified their investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, carrying out a police raid on the company’s Paris offices as part of a growing probe into how the platform uses algorithms and artificial intelligence.
The search was conducted Tuesday by the Paris public prosecutor’s cybercrime unit, marking one of the most serious legal challenges yet for Musk’s tech empire in Europe.
Prosecutors have now summoned Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino to give evidence in April.
The investigation reportedly began last year after a complaint from a French lawmaker who alleged that X’s algorithms may have been biased and capable of distorting automated data processing systems.
Since then, the case has expanded significantly.
Authorities are now examining possible algorithm manipulation, suspected fraudulent data extraction, and broader concerns about how the platform handles content and user information.
Grok Under the Spotlight
The probe has also widened to include Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, and integrated into X.
Regulators are questioning how Grok processes personal data and whether it has adequate safeguards in place. Reports have surfaced alleging the chatbot may have been used to generate non-consensual sexual images and other harmful content, raising serious privacy and safety concerns.
These developments have triggered scrutiny not just in France but across Europe, with multiple watchdogs examining the chatbot’s compliance with data protection and online safety laws.
Musk Pushes Back
X has strongly criticized the French authorities’ actions, accusing prosecutors of bypassing international legal procedures and unfairly targeting the company’s local staff.
In a statement, the company argued that investigators were trying to pressure its U.S.-based leadership by focusing on its French operations. Musk himself described the raid as “a political attack,” suggesting the investigation is motivated more by politics than legitimate legal concerns.
A Bigger Regulatory Battle
The situation highlights growing tensions between global tech giants and European regulators, who have taken a tougher stance on online platforms, artificial intelligence tools, and the handling of user data.
For Musk, who recently merged his AI ambitions with his social media operations, the case could have wide-ranging consequences. It puts both X’s algorithm systems and its AI products under legal and ethical scrutiny at a time when governments are tightening rules around digital safety.
With Musk and other executives expected to testify in the coming months, the outcome could shape how AI-driven platforms operate across Europe — and potentially beyond.
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