Probe French Government X for alleged manipulation of algorithms

Microblogging platform, X (previously Twitter), was a criminal investigation subject by the French prosecutor for algorithmic manipulation claims and illegal data acquisitions.

A unknown French senior and legislator, Eric Bothorel, served as a basis for investigation, which grew more intensely earlier this month.

X is accused of spreading “a lot of political content that is full of hatred, racist, anti-LGBT+, and homophobics” and damage the algorithm for “foreign interference” to distort French democratic discourse.

The accusation of “Data Fraud Extraction from Automatic Data Processing System as part of an organized criminal company” and “Changing the function of automatic data processing systems as part of organized criminal companies” is the basis for investigation.

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If confirmed, this accusation can result in harsh punishment.

However, the social media platform has greatly denied claims and described the investigation as “politically motivated” and threats to freedom of expression.

According to X, the French authority asks for access to its recommendation systems and real-time information on every post made by users on the platform so that professionals can check it.

X, however, refuses to comply with this condition, quote its legal authority to do so and give doubts to the objectivity of the participating experts.

In the statement, X said the investigation led by Bothorel, “Horrible to damage its fundamental rights for the legal process and threaten the rights of user to privacy and freedom of speech.