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The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into social media platform X and its executives, focusing on suspected algorithm abuse and fraudulent data extraction. The investigation, announced on July 11, 2025, has been handed to the French police following “verifications and contributions from French researchers and evidence provided by various public institutions.”
Authorities are specifically investigating potential “tampering with the operation of an automated data processing system by an organized group” and “fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system by an organized group.”
The probe stems from two separate complaints filed earlier this year. French centrist lawmaker Eric Bothorel submitted a report to the French J3 Cybercrime unit on January 12, 2025, expressing concerns about X’s allegedly biased social media algorithm. A second complaint came from an unnamed civil servant who accused the platform of spreading “an enormous amount of hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+ and homophobic political content, which aims to skew the democratic debate in France.”
On July 9, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office referred the investigation to the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie (French police). This gives investigators broad powers, including conducting wiretaps, surveillance, and searches targeting X executives. They can also summon individuals to testify, with the possibility of international arrest warrants for non-compliance.
The investigation marks a significant milestone as the first criminal probe specifically targeting the algorithmic functioning of a social media platform. Regardless of the outcome, it could empower other nations to scrutinize and potentially criminalize opaque algorithmic behavior, particularly within the European Union, where the Digital Services Act (DSA) demands algorithmic accountability.
Dr. Soumya Awasthi from the Centre for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Observer Research Foundation noted that a successful prosecution or significant fines “could inspire other democracies, especially those debating the transparency of algorithms, to adopt criminal or quasi-criminal accountability measures against platforms.”
This case highlights global regulatory gaps in addressing social media manipulation. Divij Joshi, Research Fellow in Digital Societies at ODI Global, explained: “Around the world, we do not have the appropriate legal and regulatory tools to understand or prevent the deliberate manipulation of social media to serve particular political ends.”
For India, home to over 491 million social media users, the implications are substantial. Despite social media’s influence on political discourse, India’s IT Rules 2021 and Digital Personal Data Protection Bill Act 2023 have not specifically addressed algorithm manipulation.
Dr. Awasthi warned that “Indian users remain opaque subjects of foreign-owned curation systems” without localized regulation or algorithmic transparency from global platforms. She identified three key vulnerabilities: targeted algorithmic suppression of certain narratives, boosting of hyper-partisan or foreign-aligned content, and engagement loops that escalate communal tension or political polarization.
The French investigation adds to X’s growing legal challenges in Europe. The European Commission opened formal proceedings against the platform in December 2023 for potential DSA violations related to “risk management, content moderation, dark patterns, advertising transparency, and data access for researchers.” This probe accelerated in January 2025 after Elon Musk endorsed German far-right leader Alice Weidel.
X also faced a data access lawsuit in Germany in February 2025, resulting in a court-ordered injunction to make publicly available data accessible to researchers before German elections. Additionally, an Austrian privacy group filed complaints in nine European countries alleging that X’s Grok AI used personal data from 60 million EU residents for training without consent.
Since Musk’s acquisition, X has faced persistent accusations of bias and algorithmic tampering. The platform and its owner were criticized for allegedly spreading misinformation during the U.S. election. This French investigation could establish a precedent for scrutinizing how social media companies manipulate narratives behind the scenes.
If the allegations of algorithmic manipulation and foreign interference are proven, X could face severe operational restrictions in France and potentially trigger similar litigation elsewhere. The case also challenges the notion that algorithmic systems are neutral, highlighting how automated decisions can shape public opinion in our increasingly digital information landscape.
MediaNama has contacted X for comment regarding the investigation and the company’s algorithmic accountability measures, but has not yet received a response.
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14 Comments
I’m curious to see what the investigation uncovers. Did X’s algorithms truly manipulate the discourse, or is this more of a political witch hunt? Transparency from the platform will be key in restoring public trust.
Valid point. We’ll have to wait for the full findings before drawing conclusions. Objective, fact-based analysis will be crucial.
The French investigation into X’s algorithms is an important step in ensuring the integrity of online discourse. Algorithmic manipulation can have serious consequences for democratic processes, so I’m glad to see this issue being taken seriously.
Absolutely. Transparency and accountability are crucial for social media platforms to maintain public trust.
The allegations of hateful, racist, and anti-LGBT+ content being amplified on X are quite troubling. Social media platforms have a responsibility to moderate their content and ensure a safe, inclusive environment for all users.
Absolutely. Spreading divisive, harmful content goes against the principles of a healthy, functioning democracy.
This investigation into potential algorithmic manipulation on X is certainly concerning. It’s crucial that social media platforms remain impartial and transparent, especially when it comes to political discourse. I hope the French authorities get to the bottom of this matter.
Agreed. Any attempts to unfairly sway the democratic process through algorithmic means should be taken very seriously.
While I’m not surprised to hear about these allegations, it’s still concerning. Social media has become a powerful force in shaping public opinion, and any attempts to unfairly influence that process should be met with scrutiny.
Well said. We need to ensure a level playing field for all voices to be heard, not just those amplified by biased algorithms.
As a user of X, I’ve noticed a concerning trend of certain political views being amplified over others. If the allegations of algorithmic bias are true, that’s a major breach of trust. Social media platforms must be held accountable.
I share your concern. Maintaining neutrality and fairness should be a top priority for any social media platform.
The investigation into X’s algorithms is a complex issue, with potentially far-reaching implications. I’ll be following the developments closely to see what kind of reforms or changes may come out of this. Maintaining trust in social media platforms is critical.
Agreed. This is a crucial moment for social media regulation and accountability. The public deserves transparency and fairness.