French prosecutors conducted a raid on the Paris offices of X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk’s US-based company, as part of a criminal investigation into alleged algorithm distortions and other potential offences. The action was carried out by the prosecutor’s cybercrime unit with assistance from French police and Europol on February 3, 2026.
The investigation was opened in January 2025 following complaints from lawmakers about possible bias and manipulation in the platform’s automated systems. Prosecutors initially examined whether algorithms may have distorted the operation of automated data processing, but the inquiry has since expanded to cover a broader set of allegations tied to content and conduct on the service. Authorities did not provide detailed findings at the time of the raid.
The widened probe includes a review of the behaviour of X’s artificial intelligence features, including its chatbot technology, following reports that these systems produced sexually explicit deepfake images and content that may violate French law. Local officials have also cited concerns tied to prohibited material such as child sexual abuse content and Holocaust denial, which are illegal under the French criminal code. The probe is seeking to ascertain whether individuals associated with the platform engaged in or facilitated such conduct through X’s systems.
Paris prosecutors have issued requests for voluntary interviews with Elon Musk and the company’s former chief executive, Linda Yaccarino, scheduled for April 20, 2026. Other employees of the French unit of X are also expected to be heard as witnesses as part of the investigation. Prosecutors said the inquiry intends to ensure compliance with French law by the platform as it operates within the national territory.
In the statement announcing the raid, the prosecutor’s office said it would cease communicating via X and would instead use alternative channels for public announcements. X has not commented publicly on the recent search, and the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. French authorities emphasised that the investigation remains in its early stages and that the legal process in 2026 will involve a detailed review of evidence and testimony.