logo
Musk's X calls French foreign interference probe 'politically motivated'

Musk's X calls French foreign interference probe 'politically motivated'

Straits Times3 days ago
Find out what's new on ST website and app.
X also complained of bias in French authorities' choice of experts to examine its algorithm.
Paris - A French probe into alleged foreign interference and bias via the algorithm at Elon Musk-owned social network X is 'politically motivated', the company said in a post on July 21, adding that it was refusing to cooperate.
'X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,' the social network said.
It added that it 'has not acceded to the French authorities' demands' to access its recommendation algorithm and real-time data, 'as we have a legal right to do'.
Cybercrime prosecutors announced the opening of the probe on July 11 into suspected crimes including manipulating and extracting data from automated systems 'as part of a criminal gang'.
The move followed two complaints received in January about 'foreign interference' in French politics via X – one of them from Mr Eric Bothorel, an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party.
Mr Bothorel had complained of 'reduced diversity of voices and options' and Mr Musk's 'personal interventions' on the network since his 2022 takeover of the former Twitter.
The Tesla and SpaceX chief has raised hackles in Europe with political sallies, including vocal backing for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of February legislative elections.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus
Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH
Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF
Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region
Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026
Singapore Fine, driving ban for bus driver who hit lorry in BKE crash, causing fractures to passenger
Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip
Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety
'Democracy is too fragile to let digital platform owners tell us what to think, who to vote for or even who to hate,' Mr Bothorel said after the investigation was announced.
The company responded on July 21 saying, 'Mr Bothorel has accused X of manipulating its algorithm for 'foreign interference' purposes, an allegation which is completely false.'
Prosecutors have not confirmed whether they are also investigating under a French law against foreign interference in politics passed in 2024.
X also complained of bias in French authorities' choice of experts to examine its algorithm, including mathematician David Chavalarias and computer scientist Maziyar Panahi.
Both have been involved in a scheme called 'HelloQuitteX', designed to make it easier for users to migrate their X presence to other social networks.
Picking them 'raises serious concerns about the impartiality, fairness and political motivations of the investigation', the company said.
It also objected to the use of the 'organised gang' aggravating circumstance.
The characterisation 'is usually reserved for drug cartels or mafia groups' and 'enables the French police to deploy extensive investigative powers... including wiretapping the personal devices of X employees,' the company said. AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO
Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO

Straits Times

time13 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO

Liverpool's big-money investment on transfers is the result of long-term planning, club CEO Billy Hogan said, adding that winning a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title convinced the club it was time to act like a modern powerhouse. Liverpool's latest acquisition, French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth 79 million pounds ($106.84 million), including add-ons, has taken the club's transfer expenditure this window to nearly 300 million pounds. Outgoings, six players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, have so far generated around 64 million pounds. The outlay marks a sharp departure from Liverpool's traditionally measured approach in the market. However, Hogan insists the club has not deviated from the club's policy of financial sustainability. "It doesn't just happen; it's been years in the making," Hogan told The Athletic in an interview. "One of the things we're constantly focused on is that 'virtuous circle'. Trying to run the club in the right way to ensure that we can generate as much revenue as we possibly can. That obviously helps in terms of being able to put more back into the team. "The difficulty is if you just look at one individual summer. That probably skews the data. There were a lot of comments made last summer that we didn't spend enough..." Hogan explained the approach reflects the ambitions of American-led Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who are seeking to build on last season's Premier League title under manager Arne Slot. "We also recognise, having won the English league title for the 20th time, that this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We want to make sure that we are behaving like one," he added. "Having massive global stars come and play at Anfield, filling out stadiums in Hong Kong and Japan, those are things we expect and want to do." Liverpool face AC Milan in Kowloon, Hong Kong on Saturday, before taking on Yokohama FM in the J League World Challenge in Yokohama on Wednesday. They begin their Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth on August 15. REUTERS

Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO
Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO

CNA

time13 minutes ago

  • CNA

Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO

Liverpool's big-money investment on transfers is the result of long-term planning, club CEO Billy Hogan said, adding that winning a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title convinced the club it was time to act like a modern powerhouse. Liverpool's latest acquisition, French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth 79 million pounds ($106.84 million), including add-ons, has taken the club's transfer expenditure this window to nearly 300 million pounds. Outgoings, six players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, have so far generated around 64 million pounds. The outlay marks a sharp departure from Liverpool's traditionally measured approach in the market. However, Hogan insists the club has not deviated from the club's policy of financial sustainability. "It doesn't just happen; it's been years in the making," Hogan told The Athletic in an interview. "One of the things we're constantly focused on is that 'virtuous circle'. Trying to run the club in the right way to ensure that we can generate as much revenue as we possibly can. That obviously helps in terms of being able to put more back into the team. "The difficulty is if you just look at one individual summer. That probably skews the data. There were a lot of comments made last summer that we didn't spend enough..." Hogan explained the approach reflects the ambitions of American-led Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who are seeking to build on last season's Premier League title under manager Arne Slot. "We also recognise, having won the English league title for the 20th time, that this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We want to make sure that we are behaving like one," he added. "Having massive global stars come and play at Anfield, filling out stadiums in Hong Kong and Japan, those are things we expect and want to do." Liverpool face AC Milan in Kowloon, Hong Kong on Saturday, before taking on Yokohama FM in the J League World Challenge in Yokohama on Wednesday. They begin their Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth on August 15.

Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US
Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US

CNA

time43 minutes ago

  • CNA

Trump says he wants Musk and his companies to thrive in US

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Thursday (July 24) he would not dismantle Elon Musk's companies by stripping them of federal subsidies and insisted he wants the billionaire entrepreneur's businesses to succeed. 'Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon's companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large-scale subsidies he receives from the US government. This is not so,' Trump said in a social media post. 'I want Elon, and all businesses within our country, to THRIVE.' SUBSIDY CUTS LOOM The statement came after Musk warned Tesla investors on Wednesday that pending cuts to electric vehicle subsidies could lead to a 'few rough quarters' for the company. Under tax and budget legislation signed by Trump, the US government will end the $7,500 tax credit for new EVs and the $4,000 credit for used ones on September 30. Though Musk has publicly questioned the role of subsidies, Tesla has long benefited from billions of dollars in federal support linked to clean transportation and renewable energy. TRUMP AND MUSK CLASH Trump and Musk's relationship soured in early June after Musk denounced the president's tax-and-spending plan, calling it fiscally reckless. The clash came just weeks after Musk resigned from his role in the Trump administration to refocus on his business ventures. Musk, who had previously led the White House's Department of Government Efficiency and spent more than $250 million to support Trump's re-election, announced in July the formation of a new political party. In response to the fallout, Trump reportedly threatened to cancel billions of dollars in public contracts with Musk's companies. Reuters later reported that the White House instructed the Defense Department and NASA to gather data on existing SpaceX contracts in preparation for potential action. SpaceX had been a frontrunner in building elements of Trump's proposed US$175 billion Golden Dome missile defense project. However, tensions between Trump and Musk have prompted the administration to widen its search for alternative contractors.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store