France has launched a wide-ranging investigation into social media platform X, alleging political manipulation and illegal data collection. The investigation, conducted by the Paris Prosecutor’s Office, is examining allegations that the company manipulated public opinion through algorithms and illegally processed user data. The investigation includes allegations of interfering with automated data processing systems and organized illegal data collection within the scope of organized crime.
Platform X May Be Manipulating Politics
The special unit J3, which led the investigation, previously conducted an operation against Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Durov was detained and released, but Telegram was forced to modify its algorithm and develop control mechanisms.
The measures taken in that case and the regulations subsequently introduced provide clues about how France has established a framework for such digital investigations. In this context, it is considered that the process targeting Platform X may not be limited to France but could become part of broader inspections under the Digital Services Law, which is in effect throughout the European Union.
The influence of Elon Musk, owner of X, particularly during the US election campaign in which Donald Trump was re-elected, has fueled debate about the platform’s role in politics. Musk is alleged to have directly or indirectly interfered in the domestic affairs of many countries, not just the US, but also through algorithmic manipulation, particularly during election cycles, and to have manipulated society. Reports of similar influence have also surfaced in countries such as Germany, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Éric Bothorel, a member of parliament from President Emmanuel Macron’s party, initiated the process in France. Bothorel, a cybersecurity expert, stated in his criminal complaint that Elon Musk directly interfered with X’s decision-making mechanisms.
Bottorel stated that since Musk took over the platform, diversity of expression has been restricted and the security of the digital public sphere has been compromised, emphasizing that polarizing, hateful, and racist posts have been systematically amplified by the algorithms.
If X is found guilty at the end of the trial, the company could face fines of hundreds of millions of euros. Furthermore, prison sentences for the person(s) responsible for these activities are also a possibility. This investigation launched by France is considered one of the most serious legal steps taken regarding algorithmic manipulation on social media platforms, which has long been a subject of public debate.
