Latest news with #LaureBeccuau
Local France
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Local France
France probes X over algorithm enabling 'foreign interference', says prosecutor
Investigators would be examining actions of the company, and its senior managers, after two complaints were filed in January, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said, without specifically mentioning X owner Elon Musk. The two complaints made on January 12th reported "the supposed use of the X algorithm for purposes of foreign interference", her office said, without elaborating. The first complaint was filed by a centrist member of parliament Eric Bothorel, who has looked into cybersecurity. Advertisement Bothorel warned against "recent changes to the X algorithm, as well as apparent interferences in its management since Elon Musk acquired" the company in 2022. He highlighted a "reduction in the diversity of voices and options" that went against guaranteeing a secure, respectful environment on the social media platform. He pointed to "a lack of clarity in criteria that led to algorithm changes and moderation decisions", and to "personal interventions from Elon Musk in the management on his platform". All this presented a "real danger and a threat for our democracies", he said. French investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaîné in February reported that the second complaint had come from a cybersecurity director in public office. He reported a "major modification in the algorithm used by the X platform, which today offers a huge amount of political content that is hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ (or) homophobic, and aims to skew democratic debate in France", it said. The prosecutor said on Friday that the investigation had been opened after "verification and contributions by French researchers" and further "elements contributed by different political institutions". Laurent Buanec, France director of X, on January 22nd said X had "strict, clear and public rules to protect the platform from hateful discourse" and fight disinformation. He said the algorithm was "built in a way to avoid offering you hateful content".
TechCrunch
11-07-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
France is investigating X over foreign interference, while a MP also criticizes Grok
France is launching a criminal investigation into Elon Musk's X over alleged instances of algorithm manipulation for foreign interference purposes. The national gendarmerie will be tasked with the investigation, the Paris prosecutor's office announced. In a statement, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that the investigation is looking at X as a legal entity as well as unnamed individuals. Within the investigation's scope, she highlighted the two following potential offenses: 'alteration of the operation' and 'fraudulent extraction of data' of an automated data processing system 'by an organized group.' Beccuau added that the move followed 'verifications, contributions from French researchers and elements brought by various public institutions.' In February, her office had opened an initial probe into X following two reports made the cybercrime section of the Paris prosecutor's office over the social network's alleged use algorithm manipulation for foreign interference purposes. These reports were made by an unnamed senior official from a French public institution, which French journalists described as a cybersecurity manager, and by a member of parliament, Éric Bothorel. In a statement, Bothorel welcomed news of the investigation moving forward, which he said 'comes at a time when the new Grok update seems to be tipping over to the dark side of the force, with a predominance of questionable, even nauseating, content.' Techcrunch event Save up to $475 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW On July 9, X took the automated account for its AI chatbot offline after it spent Tuesday afternoon pushing antisemitic narratives, which weren't a first. The European Commission is 'in touch' with X over this very topic it said; but Bothorel's concern is broader. 'I was convinced that information bias, which is particularly strong on the X platform, was serving Elon Musk's political opinions, and that this could only be achieved through algorithmic manipulation,' the elected official stated. Bothorel said he filed his report as an MP, but also as 'a citizen who does not want Moscow, Silicon Valley, or anyone else to distort our democratic conversations.' He praised 'the work of an efficient prosecutor's office, particularly its cyber section, which will likely need to be strengthened at a time when cyber threats continue to increase.' As Paris prosecutor, Beccuau has coordinated prosecutions related to the hacking forum BreachForums. She is also overseeing the ongoing judicial investigation into Telegram and its CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested for alleged facilitation of criminal activity on the platform. Durov has since then obtained court approval to leave France for Dubai, but the investigation continues.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
France probes X over claims algorithm enabled 'foreign interference'
French police are investigating claims that social media network X, formerly known as Twitter, skewed its algorithm to allow "foreign interference", the Paris prosecutor said Friday. Investigators will be examining actions of the company, and its senior managers, after two complaints were filed in January, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said, without specifically mentioning X owner Elon Musk. The two complaints made on January 12 reported "the supposed use of the X algorithm for purposes of foreign interference", her office said, without elaborating. The first complaint was filed by a centrist member of parliament, Eric Bothorel, a member of President Emmanuel Macron's party, who has looked into cybersecurity. Bothorel warned against "recent changes to the X algorithm, as well as apparent interference in its management since Elon Musk acquired" the company in 2022. He highlighted a "reduction in the diversity of voices and options" that went against guaranteeing a secure, respectful environment on the social media platform. He pointed to "a lack of clarity in criteria that led to algorithm changes and moderation decisions", and to "personal interventions from Elon Musk in the management on his platform". All this presented a "real danger and a threat for our democracies", he said. French investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine in February reported that the second complaint had come from a cybersecurity director in the public administration. He reported a "major modification in the algorithm used by the X platform, which today offers a huge amount of political content that is hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ (or) homophobic, and aims to skew democratic debate in France", it said. - Hate speech rules - The prosecutor said Friday that the investigation had been opened after "verifications and contributions by French researchers" and further "elements contributed by different political institutions". According to Beccuau's statement, police are investigating alleged offences of organised data system manipulation. It said the alleged crimes are currently not formally categorised as aggravated by "foreign interference" under a 2024 law but that designation could change in the course of investigations. Laurent Buanec, France director of X, on January 22 said X had "strict, clear and public rules to protect the platform from hateful discourse" and fight disinformation. He said the algorithm was "built in a way to avoid offering you hateful content". Musk has angered European politicians by commenting about domestic politics, notably in Britain and Germany, where he has publicly supported the far-right AfD party. The European Union's former digital affairs commissioner, Thierry Breton of France, described some of his pro-AfD comments as "foreign interference". The commission opened a probe against X in December 2023 and accused it in July 2024 of breaching its digital services regulations. The network risks being ordered to pay a fine of billions of euros. gd-cco/ah/jh/rlp/giv
Int'l Business Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
France Probes X Over Claims Algorithm Enabled 'Foreign Interference'
French police are investigating claims that social media network X, formerly known as Twitter, skewed its algorithm to allow "foreign interference", the Paris prosecutor said Friday. Investigators will be examining actions of the company, and its senior managers, after two complaints were filed in January, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said, without specifically mentioning X owner Elon Musk. The two complaints made on January 12 reported "the supposed use of the X algorithm for purposes of foreign interference", her office said, without elaborating. The first complaint was filed by a centrist member of parliament, Eric Bothorel, a member of President Emmanuel Macron's party, who has looked into cybersecurity. Bothorel warned against "recent changes to the X algorithm, as well as apparent interference in its management since Elon Musk acquired" the company in 2022. He highlighted a "reduction in the diversity of voices and options" that went against guaranteeing a secure, respectful environment on the social media platform. He pointed to "a lack of clarity in criteria that led to algorithm changes and moderation decisions", and to "personal interventions from Elon Musk in the management on his platform". All this presented a "real danger and a threat for our democracies", he said. French investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine in February reported that the second complaint had come from a cybersecurity director in the public administration. He reported a "major modification in the algorithm used by the X platform, which today offers a huge amount of political content that is hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ (or) homophobic, and aims to skew democratic debate in France", it said. The prosecutor said Friday that the investigation had been opened after "verifications and contributions by French researchers" and further "elements contributed by different political institutions". According to Beccuau's statement, police are investigating alleged offences of organised data system manipulation. It said the alleged crimes are currently not formally categorised as aggravated by "foreign interference" under a 2024 law but that designation could change in the course of investigations. Laurent Buanec, France director of X, on January 22 said X had "strict, clear and public rules to protect the platform from hateful discourse" and fight disinformation. He said the algorithm was "built in a way to avoid offering you hateful content". Musk has angered European politicians by commenting about domestic politics, notably in Britain and Germany, where he has publicly supported the far-right AfD party. The European Union's former digital affairs commissioner, Thierry Breton of France, described some of his pro-AfD comments as "foreign interference". The commission opened a probe against X in December 2023 and accused it in July 2024 of breaching its digital services regulations. The network risks being ordered to pay a fine of billions of euros.
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
France probes X over algorithm changes enabling ‘foreign interference'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox French police are investigating billionaire Elon Musk's X app over complaints that its algorithm was skewed for the purposes of foreign interference. - French police are investigating claims social media network X skewed its algorithm to allow 'foreign interference', the Paris prosecutor said July 11. Investigators will be examining actions of the company and its senior managers, after two complaints were filed in January, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said, without specifically mentioning X owner Elon Musk. The two complaints made on Jan 12 reported 'the supposed use of the X algorithm for purposes of foreign interference', her office said, without elaborating. The first complaint was filed by a centrist member of Parliament, Mr Eric Bothorel, who has looked into cyber security. Mr Bothorel warned against 'recent changes to the X algorithm, as well as apparent interferences in its management since Elon Musk acquired' the company in 2022. He highlighted a 'reduction in the diversity of voices and options' that went against guaranteeing a secure, respectful environment on the social media platform. He pointed to 'a lack of clarity in criteria that led to algorithm changes and moderation decisions', and to 'personal interventions from Elon Musk in the management on his platform'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore ST will have Govt's 'full confidence and support' in its mission: PM Wong Singapore ST will aim to become an indispensable partner to S'pore's communities: Editor Jaime Ho Singapore Heartbeats & Headlines: ST's 180-year legacy comes to life in immersive exhibition Singapore Trusted news, smarter experience with new Straits Times website and app Singapore Community space Stranger Conversations blossoms as a 'library of human stories' and life experiences Singapore Judge declines to void alleged sham marriage in S'pore, says it is for Parliament to decide Singapore New list of technologies that reduce carbon footprint of buildings to be ready by Q1 2026 Singapore Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term All this presented a 'real danger and a threat for our democracies', he said. French investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine in February reported that the second complaint had come from a cyber security director in public office. He reported a 'major modification in the algorithm used by the X platform, which today offers a huge amount of political content that is hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ (or) homophobic, and aims to skew democratic debate in France', it said. The prosecutor said on July 11 that the investigation had been opened after 'verifications and contributions by French researchers' and further 'elements contributed by different political institutions'. Mr Laurent Buanec, France's director of X, had said on Jan 22 that X had 'strict, clear and public rules to protect the platform from hateful discourse' and fight disinformation. He said the algorithm was 'built in a way to avoid offering you hateful content'. AFP
