French Police Raid X Paris Office Amid Musk Summon Over Abuse Probe

TLDR

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Elon Musk and Linda Yaccarino were summoned by French prosecutors for an April 20 hearing.
Police raided X’s Paris office in a year-long probe tied to illegal content and AI misuse.
The investigation expanded to include deepfakes and algorithmic manipulation.
French authorities are working with Europol and cybercrime units in the inquiry.

French police raided the Paris headquarters of social media platform X as part of an expanding investigation. Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for questioning in connection with abuse allegations involving the platform.

Investigation Origin and Expansion

The French prosecutor’s cybercrime unit confirmed a raid at X’s Paris offices on February 3, 2026. The investigation, which started in early 2025, began with allegations of algorithmic bias on the platform. Lawmakers raised concerns about how automated systems could distort data and influence public access to information.

JUST IN: French police have raided X’s offices in Paris as part of a cybercrime probe into alleged algorithm manipulation and data extraction.
Paris prosecutors say they have requested Elon Musk appear for questioning in an investigation tied to the distribution of sexual… pic.twitter.com/RITcM61sAr
— Bitcoin News (@BitcoinNewsCom) February 3, 2026

Since then, the scope of the probe has broadened. Prosecutors are now investigating X for potential crimes such as the distribution of child sexual abuse material and the use of sexual deepfake content. The inquiry also includes questions about the AI chatbot “Grok” operated by X. Europol and French cybercrime specialists are assisting with the investigation.

Elon Musk and Executives Called to Testify

Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for voluntary hearings on April 20. The Paris prosecutor’s office said that other employees from the company are also expected to testify.

A statement from the prosecutor’s office said, “At this stage, the conduct of this investigation is part of a constructive approach, with the aim of ultimately ensuring that the X platform complies with French laws.” These types of hearings are mandatory, but enforcement is more difficult if the individuals do not reside in France.

Allegations Involving AI and Content Violations

The expanded investigation now includes suspected violations related to sexually explicit deepfakes and unauthorized use of individuals’ images. French authorities are also reviewing how X’s automated systems handle illegal content and whether the platform took enough steps to prevent its spread.

The original complaint came from French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, who wrote on X, “Glad to see that my complaint from January 2025 is yielding results! In Europe… no one is above the law.” Authorities also stated that the case involves suspected misuse of algorithmic systems and the manipulation of automated data processing systems.

French Prosecutor’s Office Leaves X Platform

Amid the investigation, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced its departure from the X platform. They said official communications will now be made via LinkedIn and Instagram. This move was seen as part of a broader effort to distance public institutions from platforms under investigation.

The ongoing investigation places further scrutiny on X’s operations in Europe. It also reflects increasing tensions between European governments and major tech companies over issues related to regulation, content control, and artificial intelligence use.

So far, there has been no official response from X regarding the latest developments. Elon Musk previously denied similar accusations in July 2025, calling the case “politically motivated.” The prosecutor’s office confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that further legal action will depend on the findings after the scheduled hearings in April.