Latest news with #HelloQuitteX
Local France
7 days ago
- Politics
- Local France
Musk's X calls French foreign interference probe 'politically motivated'
"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 11th into suspected crimes including manipulating and extracting data from automated systems "as part of a criminal gang". Advertisement The move followed two complaints received in January about "foreign interference" in French politics via X - one of them from Eric Bothorel, an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party. Bothorel had complained of "reduced diversity of voices and options" and 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. "Democracy is too fragile to let digital platform owners tell us what to think, who to vote for or even who to hate," Bothorel said after the investigation was announced. The company responded on Monday 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 last year. 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.
NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Musk's X Calls French Foreign Interference Probe "Politically Motivated", Refuses To Cooperate
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 Monday, 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 Eric Bothorel, an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party. Bothorel had complained of "reduced diversity of voices and options" and 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. "Democracy is too fragile to let digital platform owners tell us what to think, who to vote for or even who to hate," Bothorel said after the investigation was announced. The company responded Monday 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 last year. 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.
LeMonde
7 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
X refuses to cooperate with French probe into algorithm bias
The social network is refusing to cooperate with a French probe into alleged foreign interference and bias via the algorithm, it said in a post on Monday, July 21, calling the investigation "politically motivated." 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." "X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech," the social network owned by Elon Musk 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." The investigation was opened followed two complaints received in January about "foreign interference" in French politics via X, one of them from Eric Bothorel, an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party. Bothorel had complained of "reduced diversity of voices and options" and Musk's "personal interventions" on the network since his 2022 takeover of the former Twitter. 'Organized gang' 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. "Democracy is too fragile to let digital platform owners tell us what to think, who to vote for or even who to hate," Bothorel said after the investigation was announced. The company responded Monday 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 last year. 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 "organized 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.
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Musk's X calls French foreign interference probe 'politically motivated'
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
