French authorities have launched a formal investigation into social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, following allegations of data fraud and foreign interference. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed Friday that the platform faces charges of illegally accessing data and disrupting automated processing systems through coordinated efforts.
Allegations and Scope
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated the inquiry focuses on two criminal offenses: organized manipulation of data systems and fraudulent extraction of information. The case has been assigned to France's Directorate-General of the National Gendarmerie, the country's primary law enforcement agency for cybercrime investigations.
Broader Implications
The probe stems from January complaints by a French parliamentarian and a senior public institution official, who claimed X's algorithm was exploited for foreign interference. While details remain confidential, the investigation incorporates findings from French researchers and multiple government agencies, signaling growing European scrutiny of tech platforms' data practices.
This development comes as global regulators intensify oversight of social media companies, particularly regarding election security and cross-border data flows. Analysts suggest the case could influence upcoming EU digital policy discussions.
