Musk's X accuses Macron ally of politically motivated inquiry
Criminal prosecutors this month accused X, formerly known as Twitter, of being an 'organised gang' and engaging in political interference by manipulating its algorithm and carrying out data harvesting.
But on Monday, X accused Eric Bothorel, a senior figure in Mr Macron's Renaissance party, of instigating a 'politically motivated' campaign and pushing French prosecutors to file a criminal case against the site.
'French authorities have launched a politically motivated criminal investigation into X over the alleged manipulation of its algorithm and alleged 'fraudulent data extraction',' it said.
'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 Musk's business claimed the 'gang' designation – which is said normally applied to 'drug cartels or mafia groups' – would allow police to wiretap X employees. The data harvesting claims can carry up to 10 years in prison under French cyber security laws.
Mr Bothorel wrote to French prosecutors earlier this year warning over Mr Musk's 'personal involvement' in X and interference in European elections 'represents a real danger and threat to our democracies'.
French authorities also suspect X of promoting posts from far-Right political figures in this year's European elections, local press has reported.
Mr Musk has backed several Right-wing European leaders in recent months, throwing his support behind Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD), as well as Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Rally.
The investigation into X comes after French police arrested Pavel Durov, the founder of private messaging app Telegram, in a crackdown on online safety last year.
Mr Durov was charged in August with failing to stop the spread of illegal content online, including child abuse and drug trafficking. He has denied the charges and the case remains ongoing.
'X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,' the company said in a statement.
X said it had received demands for information on its recommendation algorithm and posts by users, which it had refused to comply with.
It claimed the experts in France who had been appointed to examine the data had a record of 'open hostility' against X.
'X is committed to defending its fundamental rights, protecting user data and resisting political censorship,' it said.
Responding to X's claims, Mr Bothorel said the French police were not 'taking orders' from him. Writing on X, he questioned whether the site's algorithm had become 'doped with ketamine'.
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