BREAKING: Prosecutors have raided the French offices of social media platform X in Paris this morning as part of a sweeping investigation into serious allegations, including child pornography and the dissemination of deepfakes. In a significant move, Elon Musk, owner of X, has been summoned for a voluntary interview scheduled for April 20, 2026.
The operation, backed by the EU police agency Europol, is a continuation of a probe initiated in January 2025 following multiple complaints. Prosecutors are examining potential complicity in crimes against humanity and the manipulation of automated data systems as part of an organized group.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office confirmed that Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino were summoned as de facto managers of the platform during the period in question. Yaccarino resigned in July 2025 after two years in charge amidst growing scrutiny.
The investigation broadened after concerns were raised about the AI chatbot Grok, which has been criticized for spreading Holocaust denials and sexual deepfakes. French MP Eric Bothorel has publicly condemned the platform for fostering a “reduced diversity of voices” following Musk’s takeover.
Authorities emphasized that the raid aims to ensure compliance with French laws regarding content moderation and algorithm transparency. The prosecutor’s office has previously described X’s algorithms as potentially biased, distorting the operation of their automated systems.
In response to the investigation, X’s France director, Laurent Buanec, defended the platform, asserting its commitment to strict guidelines against hate speech and misinformation. Musk has labeled the inquiry a “politically motivated criminal investigation,” raising concerns over the implications for free speech.
The Paris prosecutor’s office stated, “At this stage, the conduct of this investigation is part of a constructive approach, with the aim of ultimately ensuring that the X platform complies with French laws, insofar as it operates on national territory.”
This latest raid follows a series of challenges for X, including scrutiny from the UK’s media regulator Ofcom, which launched its own investigation into the platform due to similar concerns over Grok’s functionalities. The pressure has escalated, especially after Musk restricted Grok’s image editing capabilities to paying subscribers in response to threats of a ban in the UK.
As this story develops, the implications for X and its leadership could reshape the platform’s operations in Europe. The prosecutor’s office has indicated that they will now communicate through LinkedIn and Instagram, distancing themselves from the platform during this investigation.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
