On Friday, July 11, 2025, French law enforcement announced an investigation into social media platform X and its executives for allegedly tampering with its algorithm to enable foreign interference. The news was conveyed by Parisian prosecutor Laure Beccuau, signaling a significant escalation in scrutiny over the platform’s operations. Elon Musk, who owns X, has been a source of contention among European politicians, particularly for his vocal support of right-wing politics in the UK and Germany, where he openly backed the far-right party AfD.
The investigation was sparked by complaints lodged in January by French legislator Éric Bothorel and a senior government official to the cybercrime division of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office. The gendarmerie, France’s rural police force, was tasked with looking into the matter on July 9. Bothorel’s complaint highlighted “recent changes in X’s algorithm” and “apparent interference in its management” under Musk’s ownership, which began in 2022. His concerns were centered on the diminishing diversity of voices and opinions, a shift that he believes undermines the commitment to maintain a safe and respectful social media environment.
The Allegations and Democratic Concerns
Bothorel also drew attention to the lack of clarity regarding the algorithm changes and moderation decisions, along with Musk’s personal interventions in platform management. According to him, these factors pose a genuine threat to democratic processes. The investigative weekly newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné reported in February that a second complaint had been filed by a cyber security director within the French administration. This complaint detailed a significant alteration in X’s algorithm that allegedly resulted in an influx of hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQIA+, and homophobic political content aimed at skewing democratic discourse in France.
The investigation, as outlined by Beccuau, was initiated following thorough checks and inputs from French researchers, coupled with data from various public institutions. Such a comprehensive approach underscores the seriousness with which the French authorities view the potential manipulation of social media algorithms. The claims against X are grave, suggesting the platform may be facilitating the spread of harmful narratives that could influence public opinion and political outcomes.
Platform Responses and the Ongoing Inquiry
In response to these allegations, Laurent Buanec, the director of X in France, stated on January 22 that the platform maintains stringent, clear, and public guidelines designed to “shield users from hate speech and misinformation”(A lie that anyone who uses X knows).
Buanec insisted that the algorithm is crafted to “prevent the dissemination of hateful content”, a direct counterpoint to the accusations levied against the platform. Despite these assurances, the French police continue their probe, seeking to determine whether there has been deliberate manipulation intended to sway public opinion or democratic processes.
The unfolding investigation has major implications for how social media platforms are regulated and the role they play in safeguarding democratic integrity across Europe. It remains to be seen how this will affect X’s operations in France and potentially other countries, but it’s clear that the stakes are high. The French inquiry not only reflects local concerns but also resonates with a broader global discussion about the responsibilities of social media giants and the limits of their influence on political landscapes.
Source: UOL
