France Launches Criminal Probe into X for Foreign Interference

What Happened?

Prosecutors in Paris have opened a criminal investigation into the online platform X due to allegations of algorithmic manipulation that under French law could be deemed foreign interference. French prosecutor Laure Beccuau issued a statement saying prosecutors had launched the probe on Wednesday and were looking into whether the social media giant broke French law by altering its algorithms and fraudulently extracting data from users.

The Paris prosecutor's office launched the initial inquiry in February after receiving two reports, including one from a member of French Parliament, Eric Bothorel, concerning X's possible role in political interference operations in Europe. 

Why it Matters

According to French news outlet Le Monde, the investigation focuses on two separate accusations: ‘alteration of the operation’ and ‘fraudulent extraction of data’ from a computer system ‘by an organized group.’ These are serious computer hacking crimes in France, for which the French penal code authorizes 10 years in prison and a €300,000 fine per offense. 

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Prosecutor Beccuau also said those under investigation included the X platform (formerly Twitter), a legal entity and some individuals and had been assigned to the national gendarmerie on July 9. The Paris prosecutor's office did not specify the identity of any of the individuals in question or say how many there were. There is no evidence thus far that the prosecution directly involves Elon Musk, though it remains possible he could be one of the individuals in question.

At the root of the charges, X is suspected of altering content on its platform to highlight themes more favorable to the far right during election campaigns, and of providing greater visibility to far right political candidates than any others. If those charges are true, it could be a violation of the ‘alteration of the operation’ clause of French law pertaining to the operation of the platform. Because X itself would have intentionally and systematically used its platform to promote one political faction.

While such activity would be legal in the United States, it is not in France. The charges illustrate the challenges global tech companies face while operating in many different countries simultaneously. Because global companies like X can post content worldwide, what they post and how they distribute their content may be lawful in some countries while at the same time running afoul of legal restrictions in others.

The European Commission has also been investigating X for two years now for potential violations of the Digital Services Act. To date the European Commission has not filed any charges against X or its personnel.

How it Affects You

Because internet users today often rely on information from social media sites like X, how social media platforms are regulated can affect what billions of people see and hear every day. Major tech companies like X have deep pockets, and they usually settle violations by paying fines then adjusting the way their platform works in specific countries.