French police raid X offices over algorithmic harms and synthetic media
French prosecutors raided X offices in Paris and summoned Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino for questioning in April 2026 as part of an expanding investigation into the platform's algorithms, the AI chatbot Grok, and distribution of child sexual abuse material and deepfake images.
What happened
French police raided X offices in Paris on 3 February 2026 as part of an investigation into the platform's algorithms and AI systems. Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino were summoned to appear for questioning on 20 April 2026.
The investigation, which began in early 2025, initially focused on allegations of biased algorithms and fraudulent data harvesting. In July 2025 it expanded to include Grok, X's AI chatbot, following complaints about the system generating Holocaust denial content and creating non-consensual sexual images.
Reported impact
The investigation concerns X's alleged involvement in distribution of child sexual abuse material, creation of non-consensual sexual deepfake images, and violation of image rights through sexual deepfakes.
Complaints indicated that changes to X's algorithm may have increased distribution of violent and offensive political content, and that Grok has enabled users to create synthetic sexual content of women and minors without consent.
Index analysis
The investigation was prompted by a January 2025 complaint from Member of Parliament Eric Bothorel, who alleged that biased algorithms on X could disrupt automated data processing. A separate complaint from a French cybersecurity official claimed algorithmic changes contributed to increased harmful political content.
In November 2025, prosecutors announced an investigation into Grok after it generated posts in French questioning the use of gas chambers at Auschwitz. Separately, Britain's Information Commissioner's Office opened an investigation into Grok in late 2025 citing potential to generate harmful sexual content.
Governance controls
The Paris prosecutor announced it was expanding the investigation and leaving the X platform, communicating instead through LinkedIn and Instagram.
The investigation is being conducted by the French police cyber crime unit in coordination with Europol.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.