X condemns French criminal investigation as ‘politically motivated’
(MENAFN) Social media platform X has denounced a criminal investigation launched by French authorities as politically motivated. The probe targets the company over alleged manipulation of its algorithms and “fraudulent data extraction.”
X’s Global Government Affairs team stated on Monday that the investigation was initiated by French MP Eric Bothorel, a member of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party. The inquiry began in January after Bothorel and another senior official accused X of using its algorithm for “foreign interference.” X has firmly denied all such claims.
Bothorel, a vocal critic of X and its owner Elon Musk, has previously accused the platform of amplifying “hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+, and homophobic political content” and influencing France’s political landscape.
According to X, French authorities demanded access to its recommendation algorithms and real-time user data to share with experts known to be hostile toward the platform.
X also criticized the fact that it is being treated as an “organized gang,” a legal classification in France that gives law enforcement sweeping powers, such as tapping employees’ devices. The platform emphasized that it has rejected these demands.
X claims it has not been clearly informed of the specific allegations it faces but believes the investigation is a distortion of French law aimed at advancing a political agenda and curbing free speech.
This case mirrors another high-profile French investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov. The Russian-born tech entrepreneur was arrested in France last year on charges related to Telegram’s alleged mishandling of illegal content, including child exploitation and drug trafficking. Durov has called these accusations “baseless.”
Responding to the latest reports about X, Durov accused France of waging a “crusade” against free speech and technological progress, warning that these actions could harm the country’s economy.
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