France launches criminal probe of X's alleged algorithm 'manipulation'

France has launched a criminal investigation into whether the social media platform X has manipulated its algorithm and engaged in "fraudulent data extraction," including potential election interference. The investigation was launched on July 11, following reports in January, and X has been labelled as an "organized gang." The French government has requested that X provide its "recommendation algorithm and real-time data about all user posts on the platform," and they are using multiple experts, including David Chavalarias and Maziyar Panahi, to analyze the information. However, X is refusing to cooperate, claiming that the involvement of Chavalarias and Panahi could lead to a predetermined outcome. X has described the investigation, led by parliamentarian Éric Bothorel, as a "politically-motivated criminal investigation" and has denied the allegations of algorithm manipulation and foreign interference, stating that these claims are "completely false."