US denounces French inquiry into social media platform X, vows to defend free speech
'As part of a criminal investigation, an activist French prosecutor is requesting information on X's proprietary algorithm and has classified X as an 'organized crime group,'' the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor wrote on their X account.
'Democratic governments should allow all voices to be heard, not silence speech they dislike. The United States will defend the free speech of all Americans against acts of foreign censorship.'
Paris cybercrime prosecutors called for the police probe July 11 to investigate suspected crimes — including manipulating and extracting data from automated systems 'as part of a criminal gang.'
The social media company last week denied the allegations, calling them 'politically motivated.'
X also said it had refused to comply with the prosecutor's request to access its recommendation algorithm and real-time data.
The investigation follows two January complaints that alleged the X algorithm had been used for foreign interference in French politics.
One of the complaints came from Eric Bothorel, an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party, who complained of 'reduced diversity of voices and options' and Musk's 'personal interventions' in the platform's management since he took it over.
X said it 'categorically denies' all allegations and that the probe 'is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech.'
Tesla and SpaceX chief Musk has raised hackles with his forays into European politics, including vocal backing for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of February legislative elections.
'Democracy is too fragile to let digital platform owners tell us what to think, who to vote for or even who to hate,' Bothorel said after the investigation was announced.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
31 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
France to halt Gaza arrivals pending probe into student's antisemitic posts
France will suspend its program to receive Palestinians from conflict-torn Gaza pending the outcome of an investigation into how a student accused of sharing antisemitic posts was allowed into the country, the French foreign minister said Friday. The move comes after officials said the female student from Gaza will have to leave France after the Sciences Po university in the northern city of Lille revoked her accreditation over the online posts. 'No evacuation of any kind will take place until we have drawn conclusions from this investigation,' Jean-Noël Barrot told Franceinfo radio. All Gazans who have entered France will undergo a second screening, he added. France has helped more than 500 people leave Gaza since the latest war between Hamas and Israel started, including wounded children, journalists, students and artists. The conflict, triggered by Hamas's murderous October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has seen Israel retaliate with a deadly military campaign and an aid blockade in Gaza that some rights groups have qualified as 'genocide.' Lille's chief prosecutor told AFP on Thursday a probe had been opened against the student for allegedly trying to 'justify terrorism' and 'justify a crime against humanity.' Screenshots of posts the student allegedly shared in September — published by pro-Israel accounts on X — include an image of Adolf Hitler and words appearing to call for the death of Jews. The account attributed to the student has been taken offline, after French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau demanded it be closed down. A French diplomatic source said the student arrived in France on July 11 on a scholarship based on 'academic excellence' and after 'security checks.' AFP was not immediately able to reach the student for comment. The news agency is not identifying her at this stage of the investigation. 'She must leave the country,' the foreign minister confirmed, adding that discussions were ongoing to determine her destination.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
France to halt Gaza arrivals pending probe into student's antisemitic posts
PARIS: France will suspend its program to receive Palestinians from conflict-torn Gaza pending the outcome of an investigation into how a student accused of sharing antisemitic posts was allowed into the country, the French foreign minister said move comes after officials said the female student from Gaza will have to leave France after the Sciences Po university in the northern city of Lille revoked her accreditation over the online posts.'No evacuation of any kind will take place until we have drawn conclusions from this investigation,' Jean-Noel Barrot told Franceinfo Gazans who have entered France will undergo a second screening, he has helped more than 500 people leave Gaza since the latest war between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel started, including wounded children, journalists, students and conflict, triggered by Hamas's murderous October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has seen Israel retaliate with a deadly military campaign and an aid blockade in Gaza that some rights groups have qualified as 'genocide.'Lille's chief prosecutor told AFP on Thursday a probe had been opened against the student for allegedly trying to 'justify terrorism' and 'justify a crime against humanity.'Screenshots of posts the student allegedly shared in September — published by pro-Israel accounts on X — include an image of Adolf Hitler and words appearing to call for the death of account attributed to the student has been taken offline, after French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau demanded it be closed down.A French diplomatic source said the student arrived in France on July 11 on a scholarship based on 'academic excellence' and after 'security checks.'AFP was not immediately able to reach the student for comment. The news agency is not identifying her at this stage of the investigation.'She must leave the country,' the foreign minister confirmed, adding that discussions were ongoing to determine her destination.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Germany to Deliver Two Patriot Systems to Ukraine in Deal with US
Germany said on Friday that it will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the US that Berlin will be first in line to receive the latest systems in return. Thanks to the US commitment, "Germany can initially support Ukraine with launchers and then with additional Patriot system components," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in a statement. The Bundeswehr army will initially deliver additional Patriot launchers to Ukraine in the coming days, followed by additional system components to be handed over in two or three months, Reuters said. In return, Berlin will receive new Patriot systems, for which it is providing the funding, from the United States at an accelerated pace. Ukraine's needs for air defense have grown more urgent as Russia has intensified its nationwide aerial attacks this summer, and the Patriot systems have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles. Germany has already delivered three of its Patriot systems to Ukraine and said on Friday that sending the additional systems will not affect its contribution to the NATO defense alliance.
