French Authorities Summon Elon Musk as Investigation into X Proceeds
Background on the Investigation
Paris, France – French authorities have summstartd Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino to answer questions related to an ongoing investigation into the social media platform, X. The Paris prosecutor’s offstart confirmed on Monday that the interviews are scheduled for April 20, 2026. The summons was issued in light of an investigative probe that commenced in January 2025, following various complaints concerning X’s content recommendation algorithms and data-gathering practstarts.
The prosecutor’s offstart noted that concerns had been raised regarding potential political interference due to how X operates. This inquiry aims to determine whether X complies with French laws, with its scope having expanded last year to include issues related to non-consensual sharing of AI-generated explicit images and Holocaust denial content.
Current Developments
In conjunction with the interviews, French cybercrime authorities executed a search at X’s Paris offstart. This inquiry is being conducted in partnership with Europol and local law enforcement agencies. Musk and Yaccarino have previously characterized this investigation, along with similar inquiries by EU and UK authorities, as politically motivated and an attack on free speech.
Yaccarino resigned from her position as CEO of X in July 2025 after two years in that role.
Concerns Over Grok AI Tool
Recent reports also highlight ongoing scrutiny of X’s Grok AI tool. A CBS News investigation revealed that Grok continued to allow users in the U.S., U.K., and EU to create altered images that digitally undress individuals without their consent. This functionality persisted despite public assurances from X that measures had been implemented to prevent such actions.
The Grok chatbot, which is available through a standalstart app as well as for premium users on the platform, facilitates image edits of real people, including the ability to depict them in revealing outfits. An inquiry from CBS News regarding these findings elicited an auto-reply from Musk’s company xAI, dismissing the media’s report as false.
Regulatory scrutiny has intensified in recent months, prompting warnings from the British government that X could face a nationwide ban if it does not eliminate the so-called “bikini-fy” feature. EU regulators opened their investigation into Grok’s functionalities in late January.
Conclusion
As the deadline for voluntary interviews approaches, the outcomes of this investigation may have significant implications for Musk, Yaccarino, and the platform’s operations moving forward. The focus on X’s compliance with European laws, particularly regarding user-generated content and data privacy, underscores the increasing regulatory pressure on social media platforms in the region.