France probes X over algorithm enabling ‘foreign interference'
PARIS : French police are investigating claims social media network X, formerly known as Twitter, skewed its algorithm to allow 'foreign interference', the Paris prosecutor said Friday.
Investigators will be examining actions of the company, and its senior managers, after two complaints were filed in January, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said, without specifically mentioning X owner Elon Musk.
The two complaints made on January 12 reported 'the supposed use of the X algorithm for purposes of foreign interference', her office said, without elaborating.
The first complaint was filed by a centrist member of parliament Eric Bothorel, who has looked into cybersecurity.
Bothorel warned against 'recent changes to the X algorithm, as well as apparent interferences in its management since Elon Musk acquired' the company in 2022.
He highlighted a 'reduction in the diversity of voices and options' that went against guaranteeing a secure, respectful environment on the social media platform.
He pointed to 'a lack of clarity in criteria that led to algorithm changes and moderation decisions', and to 'personal interventions from Elon Musk in the management on his platform'.
All this presented a 'real danger and a threat for our democracies', he said.
French investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine in February reported that the second complaint had come from a cybersecurity director in public office.
He reported a 'major modification in the algorithm used by the X platform, which today offers a huge amount of political content that is hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ (or) homophobic, and aims to skew democratic debate in France', it said.
The prosecutor said Friday that the investigation had been opened after 'verifications and contributions by French researchers' and further 'elements contributed by different political institutions'.
Laurent Buanec, France director of X, on January 22 said X had 'strict, clear and public rules to protect the platform from hateful discourse' and fight disinformation.
He said the algorithm was 'built in a way to avoid offering you hateful content'.
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