France launches criminal probe of X's alleged algorithm 'manipulation'
X's Global Government Affairs account issued a scathing breakdown of what it calls France's "politically-motivated criminal investigation" and its refusal to cooperate.
The French government has requested that X provide its "recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts on the platform." France is using multiple experts to look at the information. One is David Chavalarias, director of the Paris Complex Systems Institute (ISC-PIF), who leads the "Escape X" campaign. Another expert Maziyar Panahi, an AI engineer at ISC-PIF, worked on research projects alongside Chavalarias "that demonstrate open hostility towards X."
Unsurprisingly, X is not happy about the involvement of Chavalarias and Panahi, claiming it could mean a predetermined outcome. As a result, X is refusing to provide French authorities with the requested access.
In the statement, X said the investigation, led by parliamentarian Éric 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."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
Lawsuit Targets Owens for Macron Conspiracy Claims
Hot Topic 🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Politics French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have hit far-right influencer Candace Owens with a defamation lawsuit over her false claims that Brigitte Macron is male. In a suit filed on Wednesday in Delaware, the Macrons allege that Owens has profited from a 'campaign of global humiliation' against the Macrons, the complaint said. In a March 2024 podcast, Owens said she 'would stake [her] entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man,' according to the lawsuit. Despite attempts to stop Owens from spreading the conspiracy ― including a retraction letter sent by the Macrons ― she instead 'helmed an eight-part podcast series entitled 'Becoming Brigitte' (the 'Series') and accompanying X posts,' the lawsuit said. As part of the series, Owens fired off a series of 'outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions.' More from the lawsuit: These outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions included that Mrs. Macron was born a man, stole another person's identity, and transitioned to become Brigitte; Mrs. Macron and President Macron are blood relatives committing incest; President Macron was chosen to be the President of France as part of the CIA-operated MKUltra program or a similar mind-control program; and Mrs. Macron and President Macron are committing forgery, fraud, and abuses of power to conceal these secrets. The Macrons allege Owens has turned their lives 'into fodder for profit-driven lies,' the complaint said. 'Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family, and their personal history — twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade,' the lawsuit said. 'The result is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale.' Owens, a notorious conspiracy theorist who has been banned entry to Australia and New Zealand over her hateful rhetoric, has previously amplified a conspiracy about Jews being 'drunk on Christian blood,' a reference to a false, centuries-old antisemitic trope. And in July of last year, Owens suggested on her podcast that the horrific experiments Nazi physician Josef Mengele conducted on twins at Holocaust death camps never happened, in part because it would be a 'tremendous waste of time and supplies.' 'That just sounds like bizarre propaganda,' she concluded. The lawsuit against her does not specify the amount of damages the Macrons are seeking. Owens has not responded to the lawsuit, but did respond Tuesday to news that Brigitte Macron was suing the author of the book that first brought the baseless conspiracy to a mass audience.


The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Rising: July 24, 2025
Stephen Colbert's cancelation is making Democrats furious! Robby Soave Robby Soave delivers radar on Democrats getting furious over the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show by CBS. Tulsi Gabbard says new Russiagate evidence points to Obama | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss DNI Tulsi Gabbard releasing a new set of, 'Russiagate,' documents. Trump targets 'woke AI' in new EO, aims to fast-track data center construction | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss the Trump administration unveiling strategic plans on artificial intelligence that aims to cut red tape and, 'partisan bias.' Skydance promises to eliminate DEI, review CBS after merger—Lindsey Granger | RISING Lindsey Granger delivers monologue on how she thinks Paramount Global's $16 Million settlement with President Trump is, 'strategic,' and not, 'neutral.' DOJ told Trump his name appeared in Epstein files, WSJ reports | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that the DOJ allegedly told President Trump months ago that his name is among many in the Epstein Files. Candace Owens sued by French president Macron, wife over claims she is a man | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte suing conservative commentator Candance Owens for defamation. Nelk Boys under fire for Netanyahu interview | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger weigh in on podcasters Nelk Boys catching heat for Israeli Prime Minister interview. Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stating that ABC's show, 'The View,' could be next in the line to be axed.


New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
‘You were born a man, you will die a man': Candace Owens DOUBLES DOWN after Macron lawsuit
Conspiracy-spewing podcaster Candace Owens has come out swinging after she was slapped with a defamation lawsuit Wednesday by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, for claiming that the first lady was born a male who groomed her allegedly gay husband.