US condemns French inquiry into social media platform X
"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
Hindustan Times
8 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Explained: Donald Trump's landmark $1.35 trillion trade deal with EU before tariff deadline
In a significant breakthrough, President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the United States and the European Union have reached a comprehensive trade deal, just days before a 30 per cent tariff on European imports was due to take effect. U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal between the US and the EU.(REUTERS) After high-stakes negotiations in Scotland's Turnberry with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the two leaders revealed a new trade framework aimed at averting a full-blown transatlantic trade war. The deal, according to CNN, hailed by both sides as 'powerful' and 'historic', centers around new tariffs, large-scale energy purchases, and significant investment commitments. Also read: Donald Trump turns up to play golf amid protests against his Scotland trip What does the US-EU deal include? Under the terms of the agreement, the EU will purchase $750 billion worth of US energy, marking a massive expansion in transatlantic energy cooperation. Additionally, the 27-member bloc has committed to investing $600 billion more into the US than its current levels, stated another CNBC report. The report added that in exchange, Trump has agreed to impose a 15 per cent tariff on most European imports to the US, down from the 30 per cent rate he previously announced. The deal is expected to significantly ease trade tensions between the long-time allies. A CNBC report quoted Donald Trump declaring that this was a 'very big deal, biggest of all' as he stood alongside von der Leyen. Meanwhile, the European Commission chief, speaking after the meeting, acknowledged the difficulty of the talks and said, 'It is a good deal, it is a huge deal, with tough negotiations.' Donald Trump-EU deal impact The agreement was finalized just before the August 1 deadline, after which the Trump administration had vowed to raise tariffs on most EU goods from 10 per cent to 30 per cent. Earlier in the day, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had reaffirmed that Washington would not give further extensions, calling the deadline 'firm', reported CNN. Had the talks collapsed, Brussels was prepared to launch a major counter-tariff package targeting a wide range of US exports and invoke its new Anti-Coercion Instrument, a legislative mechanism designed to push back against economic pressure. Also read: Trump says US will work with Thailand and Cambodia, adds both 'want to settle' A fractured trade relationship The US-EU trade relationship is among the world's largest, valued at nearly $1.97 trillion in 2024, including both goods and services. While the EU ran a goods trade surplus, it faced a deficit in services, resulting in an overall $58.7 billion surplus with the US. Trump repeatedly criticized the imbalance and used it to justify tougher trade terms. 'The US and EU have one of the largest trade deficits,' he had said, defending the imposition of tariffs as leverage. FAQs What is the latest trade deal Trump announced? Trump and EU President Ursula von der Leyen finalized a deal where the EU will buy $750 billion in US energy and invest $600 billion more into the country in exchange for lower tariffs. Why was this deal considered urgent? It came just days before Trump was set to increase tariffs on European imports from 10 per cent to 30 per cent on August 1. What was at stake in the US–EU trade balance? The EU had a $58 billion overall surplus with the US in 2023, mainly due to goods exports, prompting Trump to demand fairer trade terms. What other trade deals has the Trump administration secured? The administration has renegotiated NAFTA (now USMCA), reached agreements with Japan and South Korea, and imposed tariffs on China during its broader trade overhaul. What is the proposed new tariff structure? Instead of the planned 30 per cent hike, the new deal imposes a 15 per cent across-the-board tariff on most EU imports. What are the key risks or criticisms? Critics argue the deal may strain diplomatic ties, shift costs to consumers, and provoke retaliation from other trading partners not offered similar terms.
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
France Maintains Tough Stand on Israel Despite Pause in Gaza War
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the European Union is having 'tough discussions' with Israel to help speed humanitarian and financial aid to Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza. The Israeli government has made 'first commitments that have not been fulfilled yet,' Barrot said on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday. 'We expect the Israeli government to stop the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation that has caused a bloodbath in humanitarian help distribution lines in Gaza.' Barrot was referring to the US-backed foundation that Israel set up after sidelining the United Nations relief network in Gaza. The operation has been dogged by allegations, including by the UN, that Palestinian aid seekers have been shot and killed near distribution points — incidents for which the agency and Israel deny responsibility. Tensions rose after President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that France would recognize a Palestinian state in September. That triggered a backlash from the US and Israel, which argues its offensive in Gaza is necessary to topple and disarm the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which the US and the European Union have designated a terrorist organization. On Sunday, the Israeli army suspended some military operations against Hamas to facilitate the movement of UN relief convoys into Gaza, and restored electricity to a desalination plant for the first time since March. Macron's move complements President Donald Trump's strategy for the region, Barrot said. He argued that recognizing Palestinian statehood will create the conditions for ending hostilities, releasing Israeli hostages and bringing Arab countries to call for the disarmament of Hamas. French and Saudi officials are expected to lead a conference to discuss Palestinian statehood in New York this week, he said. France and the EU expect the Israeli government 'to pay the €2 billion they owe to the Palestinian Authority and to lift the financial blockage that is now preventing the Palestinian Authority to implement its most basic missions,' Barrot said. He also called on Israel to abandon its latest plan to establish additional 3,400 housing units in the West Bank, saying it would split the occupied Palestinian territory in two and prevent the emergence of a viable Palestinian state. France would be the first Group of Seven country to recognize Palestine as a state. Other Western countries that recognize Palestine include Spain, Ireland and Norway.
Economic Times
38 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Preah Vihear Temple explained — the sacred site behind deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
AP Preah Vihear Temple, the ancient Hindu site sitting high in the Dângrêk Mountains, has become the center of a long-running and deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. While Cambodia won control of the temple in a 1962 ICJ ruling, Thailand still disputes ownership of the land around it. The issue exploded again in 2025, with fresh violence, political tension, and civilian casualties. What should be a symbol of history and peace continues to stir deep national pride, military clashes, and international concern. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File) Nestled atop a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, the ancient Preah Vihear Temple has become far more than a spiritual site. It's now the heart of a decades-long, sometimes deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Although this stunning 11th-century Hindu temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the land it sits on has fueled military clashes, displaced thousands, and triggered international court battles. But why exactly has this sacred site turned into a flashpoint for violence and political tension? The root of the dispute goes back to 1907, during the French colonial era, when France drew up a map placing Preah Vihear Temple inside Cambodian territory. Thailand (then known as Siam) initially accepted the map without official objection—but decades later, this decision came back to haunt both nations. Thailand now argues that the 1907 French map ignored a 1904 treaty, which said the border should follow the natural watershed line of the Dângrêk Mountains. According to Thai authorities, the watershed would have placed the temple well within Thailand's borders. Cambodia, however, continues to rely on the colonial-era map to assert sovereignty. ALSO READ: World War III: Thailand–Cambodia border clashes escalate toward war-like situation - South East Asia in turmoil In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cambodia's favor, awarding it sovereignty over the temple. Thailand was ordered to withdraw troops and return any artifacts taken from the site. This ruling caused an uproar in Thailand and has remained a source of diplomatic friction ever since. But the court's decision left one major issue unresolved—who owns the surrounding 4.6 square kilometers of land? The conflict reignited in 2008 when Cambodia successfully registered Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thailand strongly opposed the move, fearing it would legitimize Cambodia's control over the surrounding territory. This led to a series of violent clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, particularly between 2008 and 2011. The fighting included mortar shelling and rocket fire, leaving at least 20 people dead and thousands displaced. Schools and homes near the border were abandoned as entire communities fled the violence. Following the bloodshed, Cambodia once again approached the International Court of Justice in 2011, asking for a clear interpretation of its 1962 ruling. In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed that the temple belongs to Cambodia and ordered Thailand to remove its forces from the area. It also ruled that Cambodia had sovereignty over the immediate vicinity of the temple. However, Thailand rejected further ICJ involvement in future disputes, insisting that all remaining border issues should be resolved through bilateral talks. Tensions reached new heights in May 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed and Thai troops were injured in a landmine blast near the disputed area. That incident was followed by rocket strikes and cross-border fighting, resulting in at least nine civilian deaths, including women and children, by July 2025. The violence prompted Cambodia to again request ICJ intervention, but Thailand rejected the move, refusing to recognize the court's jurisdiction over the latest incidents. In a dramatic twist, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office after a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen surfaced. Critics accused her of compromising national security and territorial sovereignty. For Cambodia, Preah Vihear is a proud emblem of Khmer heritage and cultural glory. It's considered one of the most spiritually significant structures in the country's history, standing as a testament to its ancient civilization. For Thailand, the conflict represents more than just a land dispute. Nationalist groups view the contested area as stolen territory and see any concession as a betrayal of Thai sovereignty. One of the core issues is the lack of clear border demarcation. Despite multiple treaties and memoranda, no definitive agreement has been reached on where the boundary line falls—especially around the temple area. Even after numerous bilateral talks and military coordination efforts, both sides continue to patrol and claim parts of the area, making tensions a recurring issue. Despite being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Thailand and Cambodia have struggled to use regional diplomacy to resolve the dispute. While Cambodia prefers international legal arbitration, Thailand insists on bilateral negotiations—a key reason why the issue remains unresolved. The border tension has also exposed ASEAN's limitations in resolving internal disputes, particularly when national pride, military presence, and sovereignty are involved. Beyond its cultural and historical value, the Preah Vihear Temple region holds significant economic and strategic importance: Tourism revenue : The temple draws thousands of visitors annually. : The temple draws thousands of visitors annually. Natural resources : Control over nearby lands could include access to valuable minerals and forested land. : Control over nearby lands could include access to valuable minerals and forested land. Geopolitical influence: The temple sits on elevated ground, giving strategic military advantage in a region that has seen repeated troop buildup. Year Event Outcome 1907 French map places temple in Cambodia Thailand accepts without formal protest 1962 ICJ awards temple to Cambodia Thailand ordered to withdraw 2008 Cambodia registers site with UNESCO Thailand objects, military clashes begin 2011–2013 Cambodia seeks ICJ clarification Cambodia wins reaffirmation, Thailand withdraws troops 2025 New violence erupts over landmines and airstrikes Dozens dead, border closed, political fallout ensues The tragic irony of the Preah Vihear Temple dispute is that a site built for devotion and unity has become a symbol of division and unrest. While international law has sided with Cambodia on multiple occasions, the situation remains volatile due to national pride, unclear borders, and shifting politics. Until both countries reach a clear, enforceable agreement, this sacred temple will likely remain a powder keg—caught between two nations and haunted by the past. Q1: Why is Preah Vihear Temple causing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia? Because both countries claim the temple and the land around it as their own. Q2: What did the ICJ rule about Preah Vihear Temple? The ICJ gave the temple to Cambodia in 1962 but didn't settle the full border. ( Originally published on Jul 24, 2025 )
