Brigitte Macron Reaches Highest Appeals Court In France In 'Man' Claims Case
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First Post
19 minutes ago
- First Post
X slams French probe into algorithm manipulation as politically driven attack on free speech
X claimed it had been asked by French authorities to hand over access to its recommendation algorithm and 'data about all user posts on the platform' read more Elon Musk's social media platform X has pushed back against a French criminal investigation into alleged algorithmic manipulation, describing the probe as politically motivated and an attempt to curb free expression. In a statement issued on Monday (July 21), X claimed it had been asked by French authorities to hand over access to its recommendation algorithm and 'data about all user posts on the platform'. The platform said it had refused to comply with the request and had yet to receive clarity on the specific accusations being levelled against it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,' the company said. The Paris prosecutor's office said on July 11 that it had opened the inquiry following reports submitted in January by a French MP and a senior official. It is investigating possible violations including 'tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system' and the 'fraudulent extraction of data'. The prosecutor's office confirmed it had asked for access to X's algorithm in a letter dated July 19 but insisted it had not sought user data. X alleged that the inquiry was 'instigated' by Éric Bothorel, a lawmaker from President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party. Bothorel told the Financial Times that he had flagged several issues with the platform to prosecutors, including its alleged lack of content moderation and what he characterised as the 'biased promotion of rightwing content'. 'If the justice system is taking next steps . . . it means they think it is necessary,' Bothorel said. He cited Elon Musk's promotion of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in January as a cause for concern. The French probe runs parallel to broader scrutiny of X by the European Commission, which is examining whether the company has breached the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping regulation aimed at curbing online harms. Brussels has delayed a decision on that inquiry until September. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last week, the Commission reportedly discussed potentially harmful or illegal responses generated by Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk's xAI, in conversations with X executives. A formal investigation remains under consideration. Bothorel criticised the EU's slow progress in enforcing DSA rules, saying: 'It's disheartening to see the European Union fail to take responsibility when it comes to enforcing — and especially applying— the sanctions regimes that were envisioned under the DSA and DMA.' 'If I chose to refer the matter to the justice system, it was also to provoke the commission a bit,' he added.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Women's organisation demands impartial SIT probe, reinvestigation of Soujanya case
A women's organisation, Naveddu Nilladiddare, while welcoming the formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged crimes in Dharmasthala, demanded an impartial investigation into the case, reinvestigation of the 2012 Soujanya rape and murder case, and that the Dharmasthala temple be taken over by the State's Muzrai Department. The organisation hoped that the ongoing investigation would end the impunity of 'powerful forces' behind the alleged spate of crimes in Dharmasthala. In a statement released on Monday, the organisation praised the courage of the whistleblower who has now come forward, and demanded that he should be provided protection under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018. It also demanded that the families of the victims should be provided protection. The activists have also demanded that the SIT should not only reinvestigate the 2012 Soujanya rape and murder case, but also investigate local police officers, against whom a court had recommended action for botching up the probe initially. 'No action has been taken against them. Questioning them will probably reveal the truth,' the statement said. The organisation has also called upon the judiciary to examine courts issuing gag orders against media covering the case. It also demanded that the State government should take measures to take over the Dharmasthala temple as part of the Muzrai Department. Court issues injunction order to media A Bengaluru court restrained several media houses, YouTube channels, and other unknown persons from carrying any defamatory content against Harshendra Kumar D., brother of Dharmasthala pattadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, in connection with the alleged burials in the temple town, on Monday. The court also said any defamatory content already published should be taken down.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk's X calls French probe ‘a politically-motivated criminal investigation'; says won't cooperate
Elon Musk-owned microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) said it will not cooperate with a French probe allegedly accusing it of data tampering. According to news agency Reuters, the company accused French prosecutors of launching a "politically-motivated criminal investigation" which, it claims, threatens its users' free speech. Denying all allegations against it, X said that it would not cooperate with the probe. Sharing a post via its Global Government Affairs account, X said 'Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech'. "For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do," the post added. French lawmakers accuse X of "manipulating its algorithm' French prosecutors opened a preliminary probe into the social media platform earlier this month. It was based on suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction, reports Reuters. According to it, the probe authorized police to conduct searches, wiretaps and surveillance against Musk and X executives, or summon them to testify. If they do not comply, a judge could issue an arrest warrant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The probe could deepen a rift between Washington and European capitals over what sort of discourse is permitted online. Here's what X said French authorities have launched a politically-motivated criminal investigation into X over the alleged manipulation of its algorithm and alleged 'fraudulent data extraction.' X categorically denies these allegations. This investigation, instigated by French politician Eric Bothorel, egregiously undermines X's fundamental right to due process and threatens our users' rights to privacy and free speech. Mr Bothorel has accused X of manipulating its algorithm for 'foreign interference' purposes, an allegation which is completely false. French authorities have requested access to X's recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts on the platform in order for several 'experts' to analyze the data and purportedly 'uncover the truth' about the operation of the X platform. One of those 'experts' is David Chavalarias, who spearheads the 'Escape X' campaign. Formerly known as 'HelloQuitteX', the campaign is dedicated to encouraging X users to leave the platform. A second 'expert,' Maziyar Panahi, has previously participated in research projects with David Chavalarias that demonstrate open hostility towards X. The involvement of these individuals raises serious concerns about the impartiality, fairness, and political motivations of the investigation, to put it charitably. A predetermined outcome is not a fair one. What's more, French authorities have classified X as an 'organized gang' for the purpose of the investigation. This characterization, which is usually reserved for drug cartels or mafia groups, enables the French police to deploy extensive investigative powers under French law, including wiretapping the personal devices of X employees. X remains in the dark as to the specific allegations made against the platform. However, based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech. For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do. This is not a decision that X takes lightly. However, in this case, the facts speak for themselves. X is committed to defending its fundamental rights, protecting user data and resisting political censorship. Google Pixel 10 Series Launch: Everything Coming on August 20 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
