French Authorities Investigate X for Alleged Algorithm Manipulation

According to Cointelegraph, the French Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the social media platform X over allegations of algorithmic manipulation for foreign interference. Magistrate Laure Beccuau announced on Friday that prosecutors are examining whether X breached French law by fraudulently extracting user data through its algorithms. This investigation follows reports submitted to the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office’s cybercrime division on January 12. One report was filed by MP Éric Bothorel, a member of French President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble Pour La Republique party, and another by an undisclosed senior government official. Bothorel expressed his concerns in a statement on X, suggesting that the platform's algorithmic manipulation could be serving Elon Musk’s political interests. He welcomed the French justice system's efforts to address potential foreign interference. The case has been referred to the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie, officially launching the investigation into X. The probe focuses on two main aspects: tampering with an automated data processing system and the fraudulent extraction of data, both allegedly conducted by an organized group. The J3 cybercrime unit, known for its previous investigation leading to the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in August 2024, will spearhead this inquiry. X has faced increasing scrutiny from European regulators since Elon Musk acquired the platform in 2022. In February, a ruling by the Berlin Regional Court, prompted by two German NGOs, mandated X to provide access to publicly available engagement data to aid researchers in studying potential election interference. Additionally, the European Union is investigating X for a possible breach of the Digital Service Act, which requires online platforms to remove illegal content and enhance algorithmic transparency. As Musk aims to transform X into a financial hub centered around cryptocurrency, the growing regulatory pressure in Europe could pose challenges to gaining the necessary approvals for offering financial services within the EU.