France Launches Criminal Investigation Into X for Alleged Algorithmic Manipulation

French Prosecutors Target X Over Foreign Interference Concerns

The French Public Prosecutor’s Office has officially opened a criminal investigation into X (formerly Twitter) over concerns that its algorithm may have been manipulated to influence public opinion and extract user data improperly.

The probe, announced Friday by Magistrate Laure Beccuau, follows formal complaints submitted to the Paris cybercrime division in January 2025 by MP Éric Bothorel and a senior unnamed French government official.

Bothorel alleged the platform was being used to push Elon Musk’s political views through algorithmic bias, prompting concerns about foreign interference and data exploitation.

J3 Cybercrime Unit to Investigate Organized Tampering and Data Extraction

The investigation has been assigned to France’s J3 cybercrime unit, the same team that previously led a high-profile inquiry resulting in the 2024 arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov.

Authorities are examining whether X violated French law by:

• Tampering with an automated data processing system as part of an organized group
• Fraudulently extracting data from such a system, also as part of an organized effort

This suggests that the case may go beyond technical misconduct to include allegations of coordinated manipulation and systemic abuse of digital systems.

Growing Regulatory Pressure on X in Europe

Since Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition of X, the platform has come under increasing scrutiny from European regulators. In February 2025, a German court ordered X to provide engagement data for researchers studying disinformation and election interference.

Additionally, the European Commission is investigating the platform for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new law requiring online platforms to remove illegal content and maintain algorithmic transparency.

Failing to comply with the DSA could result in significant fines or restrictions on X’s operations within the European Union.

Impact on Musk’s Vision for X as a Financial Platform

This investigation comes at a critical time, as Musk aims to transform X into an all-in-one financial platform with cryptocurrency integration at its core. However, rising legal and regulatory challenges—particularly in Europe—could threaten the platform’s ambitions to secure financial licenses or payment processing approval in the EU.

If the investigation finds criminal wrongdoing, X could face major legal consequences that further damage its reputation and operational capabilities.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.