PARIS (AP) — French prosecutors have initiated a police investigation into allegations of data tampering and fraud concerning X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. The inquiry was announced by the Paris prosecutor's office on Friday, indicating that a specialized branch of the French gendarmerie will conduct the investigation.
The investigation is focusing on two specific alleged offenses: organized tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system and organized fraudulent extraction of data from such a system. The prosecutor's office did not provide further details about the alleged misconduct, stating that the investigation targets both the platform and individuals, although no names or roles within X were disclosed.
According to the prosecutor's office, the action was prompted by information from two individuals who reported concerns to the cybercrimes unit in January. One of the informants is a member of the French parliament, while the other holds a senior position within a French government institution. However, the prosecutor's office has refrained from revealing their identities or the specific institution involved.
The allegations center around the purported misuse of X's algorithm for "the purposes of foreign interference." The prosecutor's office did not elaborate on the nature of the alleged interference or the manner in which the algorithm was purportedly utilized. This lack of specificity raises questions about the potential implications of the investigation.
The prosecutor's office stated that the decision to open the police investigation came after conducting its own verifications and receiving additional information from French researchers and various public institutions. This suggests that the inquiry may have a broader scope, encompassing different aspects of data usage and security related to X.
The Associated Press has reached out to X’s press office for comments regarding the investigation, but responses have not yet been received. This investigation can have significant ramifications not just for X but also for how social media platforms manage data, especially in the context of national security and foreign interference.
As this situation evolves, it underscores the growing scrutiny social media platforms are facing from both public institutions and regulatory bodies regarding their data practices and ethical responsibilities.
