Washington slams French probe into X, cites threat to free speech
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Washington: U.S. officials strongly criticized France’s recent legal actions against Elon Musk’s social media platform X, following the launch of a criminal investigation into suspected foreign interference.
“As part of a criminal investigation, an activist French prosecutor is requesting information on X’s proprietary algorithm and has classified X as an ‘organized crime group,’” the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor wrote on their X account, AFP reported.
“Democratic governments should allow all voices to be heard, not silence speech they dislike. The United States will defend the free speech of all Americans against acts of foreign censorship.”
The French cybercrime unit initiated the investigation on July 11, targeting alleged offenses such as manipulating and extracting data from automated systems under criminal conspiracy.
In response to the probe, X denied all wrongdoing and claimed the investigation was driven by political motives.
Platform X has reportedly declined a request from French prosecutors to provide access to its recommendation algorithm and real-time user data. The request comes as part of an investigation triggered by two complaints filed in January, alleging that X’s algorithm may have been used to facilitate foreign interference in France’s political landscape.
One of the complaints was lodged by Eric Bothorel, a member of parliament from President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party. He raised concerns of “reduced diversity of voices and options”, attributing it in part to Elon Musk’s direct involvement in content moderation and management since acquiring the company.
X has firmly rejected the allegations, accusing French authorities of misapplying legal provisions to push a political agenda. The company framed the investigation as an attempt to undermine freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has drawn criticism for his increasingly visible role in European political discourse, including public support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of that country's February elections.
Bothorel, responding to news of the probe, argued that democratic societies must not allow tech platform owners to dictate public opinion, influence electoral choices, or promote division.
