France Launches Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation and Foreign Interference

France is investigating X over foreign interference, while a MP also criticizes Grok | TechCrunch

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." 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.

X faces criminal investigation in France over potential algorithm manipulation

French officials have launched a criminal investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform, X, following a probe exploring whether or not the platform's algorithm was manipulated for the purposes of "foreign interference." The platform is accused of altering its algorithms and fraudulently extracting data from users, said Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. The investigation will look into possible "organized data system manipulation," or what is considered under French law to be criminal hacking, a crime that carries a sentence of 10 years in prison and a $350,000 fine. French officials are investigating the platform itself, a legal entity related to the company, and several unnamed individuals. The case was brought forth by a lawmaker and a civil servant, reported Politico, joining other members of the French Parliament who have raised issue with Musk's X, including recent antisemitic comments by AI chatbot Grok. The Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement issued Friday that France's national gendarmerie, a branch of the armed forces, was assigned to the case earlier this week. Investigators will be looking for evidence that X altered its content display algorithms to highlight themes favorable to the far right, Le Monde reports, and promoted posts from far-right candidates in recent European elections. Earlier this year, Musk made a virtual appearance at a rally for the German far-right party Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD), saying he believed the party was "the best hope for Germany." France first opened up the inquiry in February, in response to a letter sent by French lawmaker Éric Bothorel. "Elon Musk's personal involvement in the management of the platform, but also in several elections concerning European countries, represents a real danger and threat to our democracies," he wrote. The probe was also investigating a complaint that X has experienced a surge in "hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+, and homophobic political content," which could "skew the democratic debate in France." In 2023, the European Union Commission opened an investigation into Musk for breaching multiple provisions, including "information manipulation," of the recently passed Digital Services Act (DSA).

France opens criminal probe into X algorithms under Musk

A French prosecutor has opened a criminal investigation into X and Elon Musk, on accusations of "creating bias in France's democratic debate." This comes after Musk's AI company, xAi, deleted multiple posts from its chatbot Grok that included antisemitic comments. Among them, Grok called itself "MechaHitler" and insinuated that the Jewish people were controlling Hollywood. On Thursday, French parliamentarian Thierry Sother and EU representative Pierre Jouvet asked Arcom, France's digital content regulator, to look into Grok's behavior. "Since the July 4th update, Grok has substantially changed behaviors leading it to comment antisemitic ideas, to praise Hitler and even to support Le Pen," said Sother to French media Libération. X has not immediate responded to requests for comment. X and Elon Musk have been on French and European radars since January when Eric Bothorel, a French parliamentarian, raised concerns over X's use of personal data, a biased algorithm and the reduction of diversity in posts. He also denounced Elon Musk's personal interference within the platform, calling a "a true danger and a threat for our democracies," according to Libération. On top of this, the European Union has been investigating X for two years on accusations it breached the EU's platform regulation law, the Digital Service Act. The E.U. fined Apple and Meta $800 million in April over antitrust rules.

Elon Musk's X Under Criminal Probe In France For Alleged Algorithm Manipulation And Hate Speech - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)

French prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into X, a company owned by billionaire and Tesla Inc. TSLA CEO Elon Musk, for allegedly manipulating its algorithms to interfere with foreign affairs. What Happened: The investigation is centered around whether X violated French law by altering its algorithms and illicitly extracting user data. This probe follows a previous inquiry initiated in January, based on complaints from a lawmaker and a senior civil servant, as stated by Magistrate Laure Beccuau, reported Politico. The initial complaint alleged that X was disseminating a large volume of hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+, and homophobic political content aimed at distorting democratic discourse in France. On Thursday, two French parliamentarians referred the platform to France's digital regulator, Arcom, after X's AI chatbot, Grok, published anti-Semitic and racist posts. The initial inquiry was triggered by a complaint filed by a lawmaker and a senior civil servant whose identity has not been disclosed. The investigation also includes the actions of Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot that responds to user queries on X, which led to two French parliamentarians referring the platform to France's digital regulator, Arcom, for anti-Semitic and racist posts. X did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment. SEE ALSO: Bitcoin Zooms Past $121,000 To Finish Historic Week: What's Fueling The Rally? - Benzinga Trending Investment OpportunitiesAdvertisementArrivedBuy shares of homes and vacation rentals for as little as $100. Get StartedWiserAdvisorGet matched with a trusted, local financial advisor for free.Get StartedPoint.comTap into your home's equity to consolidate debt or fund a renovation.Get StartedRobinhoodMove your 401k to Robinhood and get a 3% match on deposits.Get Started Why It Matters: The European Commission has been independently investigating X for nearly two years over a suspected breach of the Digital Services Act. While the probe originally centered on the platform's role in spreading misinformation, it was broadened in January to scrutinize X's algorithms following Elon Musk's decision to host and stream an interview with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right party. Earlier this month, Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X, parted ways with the company after a two-year tenure. Amid these changes, the current investigation into alleged algorithm manipulation adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by X. READ MORE: Elon Musk Says X Will Charge Advertisers By Screen Size To Curb 'Giant Ads' That Hurt User Experience Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. TSLATesla Inc$312.75-0.24%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum47.32Growth90.85Quality50.15Value10.20Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs