French Police Raid Musk’s X Offices Over Allegations of Harmful Content

Police in France raided the offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, on February 3, 2025. This operation, supported by Europol, targeted the platform’s algorithm and its AI chatbot, Grok, amid allegations of disseminating harmful content. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that the inquiry was initiated in response to complaints about deepfake images, child pornography, and Holocaust denial circulating on the platform.

The investigation has gained momentum, prompting the prosecutor’s office to summon both Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino to provide testimony in April regarding the platform’s compliance with French law. The office noted, “The voluntary interviews with the managers should enable them to explain their position on the facts and, where applicable, the compliance measures envisaged.”

Expanding Investigations and Accusations

In July 2025, the inquiry expanded significantly after further complaints emerged over sexually explicit deepfakes and Holocaust denial content. The prosecutor’s office stated it is examining potential violations of various laws, including:

– Complicity in the possession of pornographic photos of children.
– Participation in the organized dissemination, sale, or provision of pornographic photos involving minors.
– Defamation of an individual’s reputation through sexually explicit deepfakes.
– Denial of crimes against humanity, specifically Holocaust denial.
– Illegal data extraction by organized groups.
– Manipulation of the functionality of an automated data processing system.
– Operation of an illicit website by coordinated groups.

The platform has faced accusations of enabling the spread of “an enormous amount of hateful, racist, anti-LGBT+, and homophobic political content,” which critics argue distorts democratic discourse in France. This scrutiny began when liberal politician Eric Bothorel from the Renaissance party raised alarms about algorithmic bias and management interference following Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022.

International Scrutiny and Consequences

In November 2025, prosecutors revealed that two individuals allegedly exploited X’s algorithm for foreign interference. The inquiry also targeted Grok, X’s AI chatbot developed by xAI, after it shared posts questioning the historical operation of gas chambers at Auschwitz. The European Commission has since launched its own investigation into xAI, citing concerns over manipulated images. Similarly, the UK regulator, Ofcom, has initiated a related inquiry.

Last year, the European Union imposed a fine of $140 million on X for its failure to curb hate speech and misleading content. In response to the ongoing investigation, X has labeled the probe as politically motivated and an infringement on free speech, denying allegations of algorithm manipulation.

As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Musk’s platform could have far-reaching effects, not only on its operations in France but also on its reputation across Europe and beyond. The outcome may set a significant precedent regarding the responsibilities of social media companies in monitoring and controlling harmful content on their platforms.