X denounces criminal investigation initiated by France

(MENAFN) The social media company X has strongly condemned a criminal investigation launched by French authorities, labeling it a “politically motivated criminal investigation.” The probe centers on accusations of alleged algorithm manipulation and “fraudulent data extraction.”

X’s Global Government Affairs team stated on Monday that the investigation began following actions by Eric Bothorel, a French lawmaker affiliated with President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party. Reports indicate the inquiry was initiated in January after Bothorel and another high-ranking official accused X of using its algorithm for “foreign interference.” The company has rejected all such claims.

Bothorel has a history of criticizing X, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, alleging that the platform disseminates “an enormous amount of hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+ and homophobic political content” that impacts political discussions in France.

X further claims that French officials demanded access to its “recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts” to be handed over to experts who the company describes as openly hostile toward it.

The platform also objected to being investigated under a designation as an “organized gang,” a classification that grants French police broad investigative powers, including the authority to wiretap employees’ devices. X asserts that it has refused to comply with these requests.

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