France Launches Investigation Over X Algorithm Bias

Elon Musk’s social media firm X (formerly known as Twitter) is under criminal investigation in France over allegations of algorithmic unfairness.

France’s tech-savvy MP Eric Bothorel contacted the J3 cybercrime division because he was worried that X’s algorithms might be distorting information processing.

After being notified on January 12, the Paris public prosecutor’s office announced the start of an investigation into the way algorithms on X operate.

The prosecutor’s office informed media outlets that judges and specialized assistants from the cybercrime section are examining Bothorel’s notification and doing the preliminary technical evaluations.

The French lawmaker voiced worries that Elon Musk, the owner of X, is influencing democratic and political processes, particularly in Germany.

X is presently under investigation by the European Commission for six potential violations of its EU’s content moderation law, the Digital Services Act (DSA).

In January, French MEP Aurore Lalucq (S&D) warned Arcom, the French authority responsible for implementing the DSA in France.

She alerted them about the alleged manipulation of X’s algorithms by Elon Musk, the company’s owner.

Following protests from electoral monitoring organizations to which X had previously refused access, the Berlin court has decided that X must give researchers data to track the German elections.

Elon Musk, the owner of X, and a representative of the US government is expected to visit Paris for the AI Summit on February 10 and 11.

The Possible Consequences and How They Might Affect X

The French authorities are worried that the platform’s algorithms might violate stringent European data protection regulations or magnify offensive content, such as hate speech and misinformation.

Although the algorithms are meant to help users customize their material, there is increasing worry that they may affect individuals in ways that could be against their rights.

The goal of the inquiry is to determine whether X has violated the stringent privacy standards of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which apply in France and many other European nations

X may be subject to severe fines if it is discovered that it violated privacy laws or disseminated offensive material.

These penalties could change how the platform works in Europe and affect the company’s financial status.

Elon Musk, who has previously supported free speech on X, may need to reevaluate the platform’s user content moderation procedures and algorithmic transparency.

This investigation, which is being closely watched by European regulators and French authorities, might set a precedent for future social media companies to be held accountable for algorithmic decisions.