X slams French criminal probe over alleged algorithm ‘manipulation'
X has attacked a French criminal probe over 'the alleged manipulation of its algorithm', calling it politically motivated and a threat to free speech.
In a statement on Monday, the social media service said that French authorities had requested access to the company's recommendation algorithm, as well as data 'about all user posts on the platform'.
French prosecutors said in a statement on July 11 that they had opened the investigation into
X
after looking into reports in January from a lawmaker and an unnamed top official that claimed the social network was allegedly interfering in elections and other political issues.
In that statement, the Paris prosecutor said it was investigating whether X had engaged in 'tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system' or the 'fraudulent extraction of data'.
READ MORE
X said it 'remains in the dark' about the specific allegations, which it denies, and that it 'has not acceded to the French authorities' demands'.
'Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,' it said.
The social media group also said that investigators had asked for access to its 'recommendation algorithm' and data about users' posts, so two experts could examine them.
Musk's company claimed the inquiry was 'instigated' by a French lawmaker, Éric Bothorel, who is a member of President Emmanuel Macron's party, Renaissance.
Bothorel told the Financial Times that he had reported to prosecutors alleged problems on X, including lack of moderation and what he called biased promotion of rightwing content.
'If the justice system is taking next steps ... it means they think it is necessary,' said Bothorel. 'It will allow further actions to be taken, such as police searches and eventually charges, if any of the allegations are verified.'
The MP said he had been concerned by Musk's promotion in January of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of elections.
The French case comes as the European Commission has been investigating whether X has broken the bloc's digital transparency rules. The FT reported last week that it had delayed a decision in the inquiry until September.
The EU has several investigations into X under the Digital Services Act, a set of rules for large online players to police their platforms more aggressively.
Bothorel said he had been motivated to act at the national level to report allegations against X because he saw the EU commission as dragging its feet on holding Musk and X accountable.
'If I chose to refer the matter to the justice system, it was also to provoke the commission a bit,' he said. 'It's disheartening to see the European Union fail to take responsibility when it comes to enforcing – and especially applying – the sanctions regimes that were envisioned under the DSA and DMA.'
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
33 minutes ago
- Irish Times
New convention to provide ‘once-in-a-generation' chance to shape Irish education, says Minister
A new convention that will be the 'largest-ever conversation on education' since the foundation of the State is to be established, the Minister for Education has announced. Helen McEntee said the convention will provide a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help shape Ireland's education system for decades to come. The convention's work will inform a new long-term strategy for education in Ireland. It is more than 30 years since the last national education convention issued its report in 1994, which led to the landmark Education Act and an overhaul of the administrative structures of primary and second-level education. READ MORE Prof Anne Looney, the executive dean of the Institute of Education at Dublin City University (DCU), has been appointed as chair of the convention. The convention will focus mainly on primary and post-primary education but will include the transitions children make from early childhood education to primary and later from post-primary to further and higher education. The various engagements are also due to facilitate discussions on the learners' experiences, including those of education in early childhood and primary and post-primary education. The convention's agenda will be approved by Government next year following a national conversation and consultation involving the public, early childhood education and school communities and other stakeholders, the Department of Education said. 'This conversation will encompass comprehensive engagement with the public at school community and at regional level and will feed into the agenda for the convention,' it said. [ A national convention more than 30 years ago changed Irish education. What lessons are there for today? Opens in new window ] Ms McEntee said the education system has been the driving force of Ireland's social and economic success and, to 'continue to thrive in a changing environment, it is essential that our education system is set up to enable everyone to realise their potential'. The Fine Gael TD added that Ireland has achieved 'considerable academic success', in particular in relation to reading, 'where we are ranked as the best in the world'. 'I want to ensure that we can deliver a world-class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential,' she said. 'In particular, supporting children with special educational needs, tackling educational disadvantage, reducing unacceptably high levels of absenteeism, supporting our teachers and school communities, and reforming our curriculum is central to delivering this vision.'
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
French police investigate ‘electrocution' death of Irish cyclist at Paris metro station
French police have opened an investigation into the death of an Irish cyclist following an incident at a metro station in Paris. Tomás Walsh, from Waterford, died in the early hours of Monday in circumstances that remain unclear, but it is believed the 25-year-old may have been electrocuted after falling on to the underground railway's tracks. The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed it has opened an investigation into his death. It said there was no evidence at this stage to suggest foul play. Police said the body of Mr Walsh was discovered lying on the tracks inside the Grands Boulevards metro station in the northeast of the city. READ MORE He had travelled from Ireland to watch the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling competition. Online tributes to the cyclist described him as a 'pleasant young man with the world in front of him', a 'credit to his parents' and a 'really great lad'. In a statement, Comeragh Cycling Club said it had learned of his death with 'great sadness' and said Mr Walsh had been the 'life and soul' of the club. Altitude, a bike shop in Waterford city, described him as 'one of a golden group of talented cyclists'. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the choices facing the EU: finding its place in a changing world
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa will be in Beijing on Thursday for an EU-China summit that is overshadowed by disputes over market access, export controls and Russia's war in Ukraine. Just over a week later, the United States is due to impose a 30 per cent tariff on goods imported from the EU, unless a deal is agreed before then. When Donald Trump announced his tariffs on about 60 countries and trading blocs four months ago, they looked set to push China and the EU closer together. But relations between Brussels and Beijing have deteriorated so sharply in recent weeks that China has scaled back this week's summit, which will now last for just one day instead of two as originally planned. The US, which at one stage imposed a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, is now negotiating with China and Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping later this year. Washington has lifted its ban on the export of some advanced semiconductors to China and Beijing has restored the supply of rare earth magnets to the US. For much of the 21st century, Europe could rely on Russia for energy, the US for security, and China as an export market. But Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago severed the EU's economic relationship with Russia, Trump has brought the US security guarantee into question and China has lost much of its appetite for high-end European products. READ MORE Most EU member-states now see Russia, which has the world's largest nuclear arsenal, as a potentially existential security threat if it prevails in Ukraine and they are ramping up defence spending accordingly. However, Trump's support for Ukraine is contingent at best and could be deployed as a bargaining chip if the EU responds aggressively to tariffs by using its Anti-Coercion Instrument to target US services, intellectual property rights and foreign direct investment. The EU's fear of Russia, its grievances against China and its anxiety about the US's intentions are all based in reality and Europe needs to become more self-reliant in defence while protecting its industrial base from Chinese competition. But its response to a rapidly changing geopolitical environment has too often been piecemeal, defensive and lacking in vision. Mario Draghi's report on competitiveness and Enrico Letta's on the single market last year offered bold blueprints for action to combat Europe's economic weaknesses. The EU needs similarly fresh thinking on its place in the world, the security architecture of the continent, the future of the transatlantic relationship, the rise of China and the growing importance of middle powers such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia in an increasingly multipolar world.
