Algorithmic Controversy: France Investigates X for Foreign Interference
In a move that would have significant implications for the tech giant, the French Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into X, specializing in allegations of foreign interference through algorithm manipulation. The probe, announced by Magistrate Laure Beccuau, seeks to find out if X broke French laws by utilizing its algorithms to illicitly gather user data.
Inside the Investigation
The investigation kicked off following two reports submitted to the cybercrime division of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office on January 12. One report got here from MP Éric Bothorel, a member of President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble Pour La Republique party, while the opposite was submitted by a high-ranking government official whose identity stays undisclosed.
Bothorel, in his statement shared on X, expressed his belief that the platform was exhibiting an “informational bias,” potentially reflecting Elon Musk’s political leanings through algorithmic adjustments. He welcomed the judicial motion, appreciating the French legal system’s proactive stance against potential foreign meddling.
The Scope of the Probe
On Wednesday, the case was forwarded to the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie, officially triggering the investigation into X. The focus is twofold: examining potential tampering with automated data processing systems and investigating the unauthorized extraction of knowledge, each allegedly involving organized groups.
Leading the charge is France’s J3 cybercrime unit, known for its role in significant tech investigations, including the high-profile arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in August 2024.
X Under European Scrutiny
Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of X in 2022, the corporate has faced heightened regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe. Earlier this 12 months, two German NGOs secured a court decision requiring X to offer access to public engagement data, aiding within the examination of possible election interference.
The European Union can also be scrutinizing X for potential breaches of the Digital Service Act, a groundbreaking regulation that demands online platforms swiftly remove illegal content and enhance transparency around their algorithms.
As Musk envisions transforming X right into a crypto-centric financial hub, these mounting regulatory pressures could jeopardize the trust needed for securing EU approval for financial services.
