Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly twitter), has caused French government officials to launch an investigation over misgivings about potential algorithmic bias. The investigation began after a French lawmaker filed a complaint in January, alleging that X’s algorithms might be unfairly favoring certain viewpoints or suppressing others. To summarize, the concern is that the system might be rigged.
X hasn’t yet commented on the investigation. This investigation is just one part contributing to the growing international concerns about Musk’s influence over X. He has publicly supported right-wing political parties and causes, raising worries about potential foreign interference in other countries’ affairs.
French politician Eric Bothorel explained on X that he contacted the J3 cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office, expressing his concerns about X’s potentially biased algorithms. The prosecutor’s office confirmed they are reviewing the complaint and conducting technical checks.
The J3 unit, known for its aggressive approach to online crime, previously investigated Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, who was arrested and later released on bail. This demonstrates the unit’s willingness to go after powerful figures in the tech world.
X has faced similar scrutiny in other countries. Last year, it was blocked in Brazil for over a month for failing to control the spread of misinformation. The platform was only reinstated after complying with a Supreme Court order. This French investigation suggests that X’s practices are under increasing pressure globally.