Latest news with #EscapeX
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk's X calls French probe ‘a politically-motivated criminal investigation'; says won't cooperate
Elon Musk-owned microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) said it will not cooperate with a French probe allegedly accusing it of data tampering. According to news agency Reuters, the company accused French prosecutors of launching a "politically-motivated criminal investigation" which, it claims, threatens its users' free speech. Denying all allegations against it, X said that it would not cooperate with the probe. Sharing a post via its Global Government Affairs account, X said 'Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech'. "For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do," the post added. French lawmakers accuse X of "manipulating its algorithm' French prosecutors opened a preliminary probe into the social media platform earlier this month. It was based on suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction, reports Reuters. According to it, the probe authorized police to conduct searches, wiretaps and surveillance against Musk and X executives, or summon them to testify. If they do not comply, a judge could issue an arrest warrant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The probe could deepen a rift between Washington and European capitals over what sort of discourse is permitted online. Here's what X said French authorities have launched a politically-motivated criminal investigation into X over the alleged manipulation of its algorithm and alleged 'fraudulent data extraction.' 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 Bothorel has accused X of manipulating its algorithm for 'foreign interference' purposes, an allegation which is completely false. French authorities have requested access to X's recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts on the platform in order for several 'experts' to analyze the data and purportedly 'uncover the truth' about the operation of the X platform. One of those 'experts' is David Chavalarias, who spearheads the 'Escape X' campaign. Formerly known as 'HelloQuitteX', the campaign is dedicated to encouraging X users to leave the platform. A second 'expert,' Maziyar Panahi, has previously participated in research projects with David Chavalarias that demonstrate open hostility towards X. The involvement of these individuals raises serious concerns about the impartiality, fairness, and political motivations of the investigation, to put it charitably. A predetermined outcome is not a fair one. What's more, French authorities have classified X as an 'organized gang' for the purpose of the investigation. This characterization, which is usually reserved for drug cartels or mafia groups, enables the French police to deploy extensive investigative powers under French law, including wiretapping the personal devices of X employees. X remains in the dark as to the specific allegations made against the platform. However, based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech. For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do. This is not a decision that X takes lightly. However, in this case, the facts speak for themselves. X is committed to defending its fundamental rights, protecting user data and resisting political censorship. Google Pixel 10 Series Launch: Everything Coming on August 20 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Engadget
a day ago
- Politics
- Engadget
France launches criminal probe of X's alleged algorithm 'manipulation'
France is investigating whether X has manipulated its algorithm and engaged in "fraudulent data extraction." Prosecutors are looking into if the social media platform engaged in election interference. They launched the investigation on July 11, following reports in January. It has labelled X as an "organized gang." 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."
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Musk's X says French probe into algorithm is ‘politically motivated'
Elon Musk's social media platform X denied allegations by French authorities that it was part of a criminal investigation into alleged data tampering. The company also said on Monday that the French investigation is 'politically-motivated' and designed to 'restrict free speech' and denied the allegations. 'French authorities have launched a politically-motivated criminal investigation into X over the alleged manipulation of its algorithm and alleged 'fraudulent data extraction,'' the company wrote on X. In January, French prosecutors launched an investigation following allegations that X's algorithm was being used for the purposes of foreign interference. The first complaint was filed by a centrist member of parliament, Eric Bothorel, a member of President Emmanuel Macron's party. Bothorel warned against "recent changes to the X algorithm, as well as apparent interference in its management" since Elon Musk acquired the company in 2022. "Concerns about the impartiality' He said there has been in "reduction in the diversity of voices and options" that go against a secure and respectful environment on the social media platform. He blamed this on "a lack of clarity in criteria that led to algorithm changes and moderation decisions", and to "personal interventions from Elon Musk in the management of his platform". In February, the French investigative media Le Canard Enchaine reported that the second complaint came from a cybersecurity director in the public administration. The individual had reported a "major modification in the algorithm used by the X platform,' which had resulted in a huge amount of political content that is 'hateful, racist, anti-LGBTQ (or) homophobic, and aims to skew democratic debate in France". X said that it remained in the dark about what the allegations were but that 'based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech'. It said that for these reasons, X would not hand over data, despite the prosecutor's demand. X has also said that the experts who will review X's algorithm are biased. The two experts are David Chavalarias, director of the Paris Complex Systems Institute (ISC-PIF) and Maziyar Panahi, an AI platform leader at ISC-PIF. X said that Chavalarias runs a campaign called 'Escape X,' which encourages users to leave the social media platform and that Panahi had in the past participated in research projects with Chavalarias that demonstrate open hostility towards X'. 'The involvement of these individuals raises serious concerns about the impartiality, fairness, and political motivations of the investigation, to put it charitably. A predetermined outcome is not a fair one,' X said. Euronews Next has reached out to the prosecutors' office and X but did not receive a reply at the time of publication. X owner Elon Musk has previously caused outcry by European politicians for commenting about domestic politics and publicly supporting Germany's far-right AfD party.
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
Musk's X refuses to hand over data in 'politically-motivated' French investigation
Elon Musk's X on Monday denied allegations made by French authorities as part of a criminal investigation into alleged data tampering, adding that it would not submit to the prosecutor's demand to hand over data. X's global government affairs account said the French investigation, which ramped up this month, is "politically-motivated" and designed to "restrict free speech." "French authorities have launched a politically-motivated criminal investigation into X over the alleged manipulation of its algorithm and alleged "fraudulent data extraction," X said in a post on the social media platform. "X categorically denies these allegations." French prosecutors started an investigation in January over allegations that the company's algorithm was being used for the purposes of foreign interference. The probe began after two complaints — one from a French member of parliament and another from a senior official at a public institution. This month, the investigation was handed over to a key unit of France's national police. Prosecutors said the investigation would focus on investigating offences of tampering with automated data systems as well as the fraudulent extraction of data from these systems. "French authorities have requested access to X's recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts on the platform in order for several 'experts' to analyze the data and purportedly 'uncover the truth' about the operation of the X platform," X said. Musk's social media platform also said it, "remains in the dark as to the specific allegations made" against it. "However, based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech," X said. "For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities' demands, as we have a legal right to do. This is not a decision that X takes lightly. However, in this case, the facts speak for themselves." CNBC has reached out to the Paris prosecutor's office for comment. X took fire at two specific individuals. The company claimed the two "experts" who will review X's algorithm are David Chavalarias, director of the Paris Complex Systems Institute (ISC-PIF) and Maziyar Panahi, an AI platform leader at ISC-PIF. X noted Chavalarias runs a campaign called "Escape X" which encourages users to leave the social media platform, and said Panahi "has previously participated in research projects with David Chavalarias that demonstrate open hostility towards X." Both researchers have indeed been named on a research paper related to X. "The involvement of these individuals raises serious concerns about the impartiality, fairness, and political motivations of the investigation, to put it charitably. A predetermined outcome is not a fair one," X said. CNBC has reached out to both Chavalarias and Panahi, and has yet to receive a comment on X's statement.
