Elon Musk's X has accused French prosecutors of launching a "politically motivated criminal investigation" that threatens its users' free speech, denying all allegations against it and saying it would not cooperate with the probe.

Paris

Elon Musk's social media company X has rejected cooperation with a French criminal investigation into alleged algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction. French prosecutors have escalated their probe, granting police powers to search, surveil, and potentially summon X executives, with non-compliance risking fines or obstruction charges. 

X has denied all allegations, arguing the investigation is politically motivated and threatens free speech. The company refused a judicial request for access to its recommendation algorithm and real-time data, while French authorities maintain their request is limited and confidential. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between US tech firms and European regulators over digital transparency and online discourse.

Musk's X says it won't cooperate with French probe

Elon Musk's X accused French prosecutors of launching a politically motivated criminal investigation on Monday. It comes after Paris prosecutors stepped up a preliminary probe into X earlier this month for suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction. Police can now conduct searches, wiretaps and surveillance against Musk and X executives or summon them to testify. A judge could also issue an arrest warrant if they don't comply. The social media firm said the move threatens its users' free speech. And it also denied all allegations against it and said it wouldn't cooperate with the probe. X posted it believes the investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and restrict free speech. X said it had refused a request for access to its recommendation algorithm and real-time data. The Paris prosecutor's office did not respond to accusations of political bias, but it confirmed it had sent a judicial request to X on July 19th asking for access solely to its algorithm. It said it had offered X a secure channel to share the information with investigators who would have confidential access to the data. The prosecutors said they had yet to receive an official response from the company. Failure to comply with their judicial request can lead to a fine or obstruction of justice charges. Musk has accused European governments of attacking free speech and has voiced support for some of the region's far-right parties. The French probe could deepen a rift between Washington and European capitals over what sort of discourse is allowed online. Senior US officials have alleged the censoring of right-wing voices around the world. Meanwhile the European Commission has investigated X for breaching its digital transparency rules against illegal content since late 2023. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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