PARIS, 3 February 2026, 16:09 (CET)
- French authorities raided X’s Paris office, with prosecutors calling in Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino for questioning on April 20
- Investigation expanded to include claims related to Grok and sexually explicit “deepfakes,” some allegedly involving minors
- Regulators in the UK and EU are stepping up actions against X and its associated AI services
French authorities raided the Paris headquarters of Elon Musk’s social media platform X on Tuesday. Prosecutors have also called Musk to testify in April as the cybercrime probe now extends to the company’s AI chatbot, Grok. (Reuters)
This move ramps up the pressure on X amid growing scrutiny from European regulators targeting major platforms over illegal content and manipulated media. Deepfakes — AI-generated images or videos that can convincingly impersonate real individuals — have drawn attention following multiple complaints about sexually explicit material being created and circulated online.
In the UK, the Information Commissioner’s Office has launched formal investigations into X’s EU/EEA data controller and xAI. The probe focuses on how personal data tied to Grok is being processed, especially concerning its ability to generate harmful sexualised images and video. “The reports about Grok raise deeply troubling questions,” said William Malcolm, the ICO’s executive director for regulatory risk and innovation. (Ico)
In France, the Paris prosecutor’s office linked the search to an investigation that began in January last year over claims of biased algorithms and fraudulent data extraction involving X and its executives. Prosecutors have summoned Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for a hearing on April 20, with additional staff called as witnesses.
The prosecutor’s office has widened its investigation following complaints about Grok. The scope now covers alleged involvement in several crimes, including the possession and distribution of child pornography, breaches of image rights linked to sexually explicit deepfakes, and denial of crimes against humanity, among other suspected offenses. (Euronews)
French prosecutors stated the investigation seeks to verify X’s compliance with French law during its operations within the country. The prosecutor’s office also announced it will cease using X for communication, opting to share updates via LinkedIn and Instagram going forward.
X did not respond right away to Tuesday’s raid or the summons. Back in July, Musk dismissed the initial allegations as politically motivated. Meanwhile, X’s global government affairs office said the company was “committed to defending its fundamental rights” and “resisting political censorship.” (Aljazeera)
This case comes as part of wider EU enforcement under the Digital Services Act, which mandates large online platforms to tackle illegal content and uphold transparency requirements. In December, the European Commission fined X 120 million euros for violating DSA transparency rules, according to the Commission. (Europa)
Britain’s media watchdog Ofcom announced it is launching an Online Safety Act probe to determine if X sufficiently evaluated and mitigated the risk of sexual deepfakes on its platform. It also highlighted gaps in current legislation concerning certain standalone chatbot services. (Ofcom)
Enforcing the French summons could prove tricky if Musk skips the hearing, given he doesn’t reside in France. Once the hearing wraps up, French authorities might either drop the case or press on, potentially launching more investigations.
The Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit is leading the investigation, backed by France’s cybercrime police and Europol. Known for going after prominent tech executives recently, the unit’s latest probe marks another step in Europe’s expanding effort to tighten control over X and rivals like Meta and TikTok.
