France Launches Investigation into Social Media Platform X Over Alleged Algorithm-Driven Foreign Interference

French authorities have initiated an investigation into social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, over allegations that its algorithm was manipulated to facilitate foreign interference, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced Friday.

The inquiry will focus on the company’s actions and those of its senior executives following two complaints filed in January, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said, without directly naming X’s owner, Elon Musk.

The complaints, submitted on January 12, accused X of allegedly using its algorithm to enable foreign interference, though details were not disclosed. The first complaint came from Eric Bothorel, a centrist member of parliament affiliated with President Emmanuel Macron’s party, who has been active in cybersecurity issues.

Bothorel expressed concern over recent changes to X’s algorithm and management since Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022. He warned that these changes had led to a “reduction in the diversity of voices and options,” undermining efforts to maintain a secure and respectful environment. Bothorel also criticized the lack of transparency regarding the criteria behind algorithm adjustments and content moderation, as well as Musk’s personal involvement in platform management. He described these developments as a “real danger and a threat for our democracies.”

The second complaint, reported by the investigative weekly *Le Canard Enchaîné* in February, was filed by a cybersecurity director within the French public administration. The complaint alleged a significant alteration of X’s algorithm, resulting in the widespread promotion of political content described as hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ, and homophobic, which allegedly distorts democratic debate in France.

Prosecutor Beccuau stated that the investigation was opened after reviews by French researchers and additional input from various political institutions. Authorities are probing allegations of organized data system manipulation. While the suspected offenses are not currently classified under the 2024 law’s aggravated category of “foreign interference,” this status may be revised as the investigation progresses.

Laurent Buanec, France director of X, responded on January 22 by emphasizing that the platform maintains “strict, clear and public rules” designed to protect users from hateful content and combat disinformation. He asserted that the algorithm is structured to avoid promoting hateful material.

Elon Musk has drawn criticism from European politicians for his commentary on domestic politics, particularly in Britain and Germany, where he has publicly supported the far-right AfD party. Thierry Breton, the European Union’s former digital affairs commissioner from France, labeled some of Musk’s pro-AfD remarks as “foreign interference.”

The European Commission launched a probe into X in December 2023 and, in July 2024, accused the platform of violating digital services regulations. X now faces the possibility of fines amounting to billions of euros.