French police raided Elon Musk’s social media platform X on Tuesday as prosecutors expanded an investigation into the company’s algorithms and AI chatbot Grok.
Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to give evidence on April 20, amid growing scrutiny of Big Tech across Europe.
The Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit launched the raid as part of a year-long probe that began in early 2025 over suspected algorithmic abuse and fraudulent data handling by X and its executives.
The investigation has since broadened to include Grok, X’s AI chatbot, following complaints that it generated harmful sexualized imagery, including sexually explicit deepfakes involving children.
“The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office is plainly attempting to exert pressure on X’s senior management in the United States by targeting our French entity and employees,” X said in a statement. Elon Musk called the investigation a “political attack” in a post on the platform.
Summons and Legal Proceedings
Musk and Yaccarino are scheduled to appear for questioning on April 20. Other X staff have also been summoned as witnesses. French authorities have the power to continue or shelve the investigation after the hearings and may place suspects in custody if necessary.
The prosecutor’s office said the investigation also addresses potential violations of image rights and the “detention and diffusion” of child pornography through Grok.
International scrutiny of Grok and X
The United Kingdom has also opened investigations. The Information Commissioner’s Office is examining Grok’s role in generating non-consensual sexual imagery, while media regulator Ofcom is reviewing X’s overall moderation of sexual deepfakes on the platform.
The European Union launched a separate inquiry into X last week, evaluating whether the platform has allowed illegal content to spread. Reports suggest Grok continues to create sexualized images of people without consent, despite recent restrictions imposed by xAI.
Context: Europe vs. big tech
The Paris cybercrime unit and Europol are leading the investigation, which comes amid wider tensions between European regulators and US tech companies over content moderation and free speech.
Past cases include the 2024 arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov over alleged organized crime involvement on the platform, highlighting Europe’s strict enforcement of digital regulations.
French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, who filed the initial complaint in January 2025, said: “In Europe, and particularly in France, the Rule of Law means that no one is above the law.”
