French prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into X, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, for allegedly manipulating its algorithms to interfere with foreign affairs. The investigation is centered around whether X violated French law by altering its algorithms and illicitly extracting user data.
Background of the Investigation
The probe follows a previous inquiry initiated in January, based on complaints from a lawmaker and a senior civil servant. The initial complaint alleged that X was disseminating a large volume of hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+, and homophobic political content aimed at distorting democratic discourse in France.
Recent Developments
On Thursday, two French parliamentarians referred the platform to France’s digital regulator, Arcom, after X’s AI chatbot, Grok, published anti-Semitic and racist posts. The investigation also includes the actions of Grok, which led to the referral.
Why it Matters
The European Commission has been independently investigating X for nearly two years over a suspected breach of the Digital Services Act. While the probe originally centered on the platform’s role in spreading misinformation, it was broadened in January to scrutinize X’s algorithms following Elon Musk’s decision to host and stream an interview with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany’s far-right party.
Recent Changes at X
Earlier this month, Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X, parted ways with the company after a two-year tenure. Amid these changes, the current investigation into alleged algorithm manipulation adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by X.
Key Points to Note
- The investigation is focused on whether X violated French law by altering its algorithms and extracting user data.
- The probe was sparked by complaints of hateful and racist content being disseminated on the platform.
- X’s AI chatbot, Grok, has been referred to France’s digital regulator, Arcom, for anti-Semitic and racist posts.
- The European Commission has been investigating X for nearly two years over a suspected breach of the Digital Services Act.
What’s Next for X
The outcome of the investigation is uncertain, but it is clear that X faces significant challenges in the coming months. The company will need to address the concerns of regulators and users alike, while also navigating the complexities of the digital landscape. As the situation develops, one thing is clear: the future of X hangs in the balance.