Overview

• French prosecutors opened a criminal investigation on July 11 into suspected organized manipulation of X’s algorithm and fraudulent data harvesting to influence political discourse.
• The Gendarmerie Nationale has been tasked with inspecting the platform’s real-time data and algorithm to substantiate the allegations.
• X has declined to hand over its algorithm or user data, arguing that the probe lacks clear charges and infringes on free speech and user privacy rights.
• Complaints by lawmaker Eric Bothorel and a cybersecurity official cited shifts toward political bias and increases in hate speech, racism and ridicule of sexual minorities since Elon Musk’s takeover.
• Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, failure to comply with transparency orders could expose X to fines of up to 6% of its global turnover.