The investigation was reportedly initiated by French politician Eric Bothorel and “egregiously undermines X’s fundamental right to due process and threatens our users’ rights to privacy and free speech,” X’s Global Government Affairs account said in a post.
According to a press release from a public prosecutor in Paris (translated from French to English), the French investigators are looking into offenses of “tampering with the operation of an automated data processing system by organized gang,” as well as “fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system by organized gang.”
“Mr Bothorel hasaccused X of manipulating its algorithm for ‘foreign interference’ purposes, an allegation which is completely false,” the statement from X continued.
French prosecutors have reportedly requested access to X’s recommendation algorithm and real-time data related to user posts for analysis by external experts. X raised concerns over the neutrality of those experts, specifically naming David Chavalarias, head of the “Escape X” campaign, which aims to encourage users to leave the platform. Another expert, Maziyar Panahi, has previously collaborated with Chavalarias on research that is critical of the platform.
“The involvement of these individuals raises serious concerns about the impartiality, fairness, and political motivations of the investigation, to put it charitably,” X said. “A predetermined outcome is not a fair one.”
“X remains in the dark as to the specific allegations made against the platform,” the company later added. “However, based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech.”
X said it has not complied with the French request for data and algorithm access, citing its legal rights. “This is not a decision that X takes lightly,” the company said, insisting it is committed to “defending its fundamental rights, protecting user data and resisting political censorship.”
French prosecutors say the case was opened based on information provided by two individuals in January to their cybercrimes unit. The individuals included a member of parliament and a senior government official who alleged the algorithm was being misused for “purposes of foreign interference.” Authorities have said that investigators are bound by confidentiality and that only those directly involved in the investigation would access the requested materials.
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor condemned the investigation, saying it will defend free speech rights for Americans.
"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.’ 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 bureau stated.
