The United States has strongly criticized an ongoing French criminal investigation targeting the social media platform X, owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The case, which involves allegations of foreign interference, has sparked diplomatic tension and raised concerns over free speech and international jurisdiction in the digital age.
On Friday, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour issued a firm statement via X, condemning the actions of French prosecutors. “As part of a criminal investigation, an activist French prosecutor is requesting information on X’s proprietary algorithm and has classified X as an ‘organised crime group,’” the Bureau wrote.
The statement continued: “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 criminal investigation was initiated on July 11 by Paris cybercrime prosecutors. According to officials, the case seeks to explore potential offenses, including data manipulation and extraction from automated systems, all within the context of what the prosecutors describe as a “criminal gang.”
In response, X has firmly rejected all accusations, asserting that the investigation is “politically motivated.” The platform revealed it had refused to grant access to its proprietary recommendation algorithm and real-time user data, claiming the probe aims to undermine its operational integrity and suppress freedom of expression.
The investigation was reportedly triggered by two complaints filed in January. One of the complainants is French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, a member of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party. Bothorel accused X of fostering a “reduced diversity of voices and options” and criticized what he termed Musk’s “personal interventions” in the management of the platform since acquiring it.
According to X, the legal action is not only unfounded but represents a distortion of French law for political ends. The company stated that the investigation “is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech.”
Beyond the current investigation, Elon Musk has drawn criticism in Europe for his controversial political engagements. Among them is his open support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a move that sparked outrage ahead of the February legislative elections.
Responding to the broader implications of the case, Bothorel warned of the dangers posed by tech moguls influencing democratic institutions. “Democracy is too fragile to let digital platform owners tell us what to think, who to vote for or even who to hate,” he said.
What You Should Know
The United States has denounced a French investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, calling it an attack on free speech. French prosecutors are examining whether X’s algorithm contributed to foreign interference in French politics, prompting serious backlash from U.S. officials and the platform itself.
X has refused to provide access to its internal systems, claiming the probe is politically driven. The tension underscores deeper concerns over global tech governance, digital sovereignty, and the growing influence of tech giants like Musk on international political discourse.
