The social media platform Elon Muska X was accused by the French prosecutor of the opening of a “politically motivated criminal investigation” that threatens freedom of expression and violates legal norms. The platform, formerly known as Twitter, said it would not cooperate with the probe and deny all the charges of unlawful conduct.
“X believes that this investigation is disrupted by the French law to serve the political agenda and eventually restrict freedom of expression,” she published through her Global Account of Government Affairs Monday.
The probe has spread to criminal investigation
At the beginning of this month, Paris prosecutors escalated their preliminary probe into a complete criminal investigation. Focus: suspicion of algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction X. This step provides police sweeping powers, including searching, wiretapping and location managers under supervision.
Authorities can now convene Muska or X for testimony. If they refuse, the judges can give arrest.
X rejects access to algorithm and data
Prosecutors sent a court request on July 19 with a request for access to the X Recommendation Algorithm and real -time data. X rejected and claimed his legal right to it.
“We refused the request because we have legal right to it,” X said.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Paris confirmed the application and stated that a secure data protection channel was offered. She has not yet received an official answer from the company. The refusal could lead to fines or accusations of an obstacle to justice.
Accusation of organized crime increases the alarm
X also raised objections to the investigation of the case under organized crime laws, which could enable French authorities to eavesd on personal facilities x employees.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office noted that alleged crimes bear maximum sanctions of up to 10 years in prison.
Musk’s criticism of Europe
Musk, a former ally of Donald Trump, has repeatedly accused the European government of suppressing free expression. The dispute is likely to intensify the transatlantic tension before regulating the content.
Digital Services Act
Since the end of 2023, the European Commission has been investigating X since the end of 2023 for a suspected violation of the Digital Services Act, a law aimed at increasing transparency and responsibility in digital platforms.
Legislators and scientists draw fire
X claims that the case was stimulated by French Member Eric Bothel, who accused the platform of manipulation with algorithm for foreign interference – accusation of x called “completely false”.
Bothel defended the probe: “France has committed itself to freedom of expression, but not without restrictions. The absence of responsibility and supervision threatens freedom as well as bans and censors,” he said.
X also criticized the involvement of scientists David Chavalarias and Maziyar Panahi and accused them of hostility to the platform. Panahi denied any participation: “My name was mentioned by mistake … I do not hesitate to take legal steps for defamation if I get any form of hateful expression,” he said in -mail.
The company has land
A spokesman for Company X has reiterated that the company is based on its statement and continues to oppose what it considers to be a dangerous precedent for a politically managed investigation of free expression.
(Tagstotranslate) Elon Musk
