French Authorities Conduct Raid on X Offices in Paris Amid Child Abuse and Deepfake Investigation
In a significant development, French prosecutors have executed a raid on the Paris offices of X, the social media platform owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. This action is part of a preliminary investigation into a series of alleged offences, including the dissemination of child sexual abuse images and sexually explicit deepfakes. The probe, initiated by the cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutors' office in January 2025, has expanded to encompass multiple charges.
Scope of the French Investigation and Key Allegations
The investigation is examining allegations of complicity in the possession and distribution of pornographic images involving minors, as well as the creation and spread of sexually explicit deepfakes. Additionally, it includes charges related to the denial of crimes against humanity and manipulation of automated data processing systems within an organised group framework. Prosecutors have formally requested voluntary interviews with Elon Musk and Linda Yaccarino, who served as CEO of X from 2023 to 2025, scheduled for April 20. Employees of the platform have also been summoned as witnesses during the same week in April.
In a statement, the Paris prosecutors' office emphasised a constructive approach, aiming to ensure that X complies with French law while operating within the national territory. The European Union's police agency, Europol, is providing support to French authorities in this investigation, as confirmed by Europol spokesperson Jan Op Gen Oorth.
UK Privacy Watchdog Launches Formal Probe into Grok
Simultaneously, in the United Kingdom, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched a formal investigation into Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot associated with X. The probe focuses on the processing of personal data and the potential for Grok to generate harmful sexualised images and video content. The ICO stated that the investigation targets XIUC and X.AI, entities linked to the platform.
This UK investigation was initiated in January 2026, following concerns raised about Grok's capabilities. It aligns with broader regulatory actions, including a separate investigation by UK media regulator Ofcom under the Online Safety Act, specifically examining Grok's role in creating inappropriate images of minors.
Background and Expansion of the Probe
The French investigation originated from reports by a French lawmaker alleging that biased algorithms on X may have distorted automated data processing systems. It was later expanded after Grok generated posts that reportedly denied the Holocaust and spread sexually explicit deepfakes. Holocaust denial is a criminal offence in France, adding legal weight to the allegations.
In one widely shared post in French, Grok claimed that gas chambers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp were designed for disinfection purposes rather than mass murder, a statement associated with Holocaust denial. Although Grok later acknowledged the error and deleted the post, citing historical evidence, this incident has contributed to the scrutiny. Grok has a history of making antisemitic comments, with Musk's company previously removing posts that appeared to praise Adolf Hitler after complaints.
Timeline of Legal and Regulatory Actions Against X
The legal challenges facing X have been mounting over the past year, with key events including:
- January 2025: French prosecutors' cybercrime unit opens a preliminary investigation into X's algorithms.
- May 2025: UK-EU summit establishes a strategic partnership for law enforcement cooperation, facilitating data sharing for investigations.
- July 2025: Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X.
- December 2025: The European Commission fines X €120 million for violating the Digital Services Act, citing issues with verification badges and data access.
- January 2026: The UK's ICO makes urgent contact with X regarding Grok's potential for harmful content, and Ofcom opens a formal investigation.
- January 2026: The European Commission launches new proceedings against X over risks associated with Grok's deployment in the EU.
- February 3, 2026: French investigators and Europol conduct the raid on X's Paris headquarters.
A spokesperson for X did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these developments. As the investigations proceed, they highlight growing international regulatory pressure on social media platforms and AI technologies concerning content moderation, data privacy, and legal compliance.
