French authorities have opened a formal investigation into social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over allegations that its algorithm was altered to enable foreign interference in national discourse, according to a statement released Friday by the Paris prosecutor’s office.
The probe follows two official complaints filed on January 12, which raised concerns about changes to X’s content recommendation system that could allegedly manipulate political conversations in France. The complaints focus on the platform’s potential role in spreading harmful content and influencing democratic processes, particularly after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company in 2022.
While the prosecutor’s statement did not directly mention Musk, it confirmed that the investigation will examine the actions of the platform’s senior management and possible system manipulation.
One of the complaints was filed by French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, a cybersecurity advocate and member of President Emmanuel Macron’s party. Bothorel warned that recent changes to X’s algorithm had diminished the platform’s diversity of perspectives and transparency in moderation practices.
He accused the platform of failing to provide clear criteria for algorithmic and content moderation decisions, and even pointed to Musk’s direct involvement in platform operations as a troubling factor.
“This represents a real threat to democratic integrity,” Bothorel stated.
The second complaint reportedly came from a senior cybersecurity official within the French public sector, who flagged a dramatic shift in the platform’s algorithm. The modification, the complaint claimed, had led to a flood of politically charged and hateful content, including racist, homophobic, and anti-LGBTQ narratives, potentially distorting public debate in France.
French prosecutors noted that these concerns were substantiated through additional research and contributions from political institutions and independent experts. The ongoing investigation is centered on the alleged offense of manipulating an automated data processing system.
Although the case has not yet been formally labeled as an instance of “foreign interference” under France’s 2024 legal framework, prosecutors say that designation could evolve as the probe progresses.
Responding to the allegations in January, X’s France Director Laurent Buanec defended the platform’s policies, stating that its content algorithm is designed to suppress hate speech and disinformation. “Our rules are clear, public, and strictly enforced,” he said.
Despite these assurances, concerns about Musk’s influence have continued to grow, especially after his open support for Germany’s far-right AfD party and his public commentary on British politics. His remarks have drawn backlash from European officials, including France’s former EU digital affairs commissioner Thierry Breton, who labeled Musk’s actions as a form of foreign interference.
The European Commission also launched a separate investigation into X in late 2023 for potentially violating digital service regulations. If found guilty, the platform could face fines amounting to billions of euros.
As the French investigation unfolds, pressure is mounting on X to demonstrate greater accountability and transparency in how its algorithm shapes public discourse—particularly in politically sensitive climates.
