Elon Musk’s X Platform Algorithmic Bias Investigated by French Prosecutors

• A centrist French lawmaker announced contacting the J3 cybercrime unit to signal biased algorithms on X.
• The allegations claim X’s algorithms may have unfairly distorted how information is processed and displayed.
• This development potentially influenced digital discourse in unintended or potentially harmful ways.

Allegations of algorithmic bias led to an investigation into X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s service is scrutinized for potentially distorting automated data processing systems through biased algorithms.

The Paris public prosecutor’s office led the investigation, which was initiated following concerns raised by centrist French lawmaker Eric Bothorel. Bothorel publicly stated on X that he had contacted the J3 cybercrime unit on January 12 with complaints about the platform’s use of biased algorithms. 

According to a report by Franceinfo cited by Reuters, Bothorel's communication has prompted prosecutors and cybercrime experts to begin preliminary technical checks into the claims. X declined to comment when contacted regarding the investigation.

The probe announcement occurs days before a significant artificial intelligence (AI) summit in Paris, where global leaders such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and senior executives from Alphabet and Microsoft are expected to participate. 

The timing not only underscores growing international interest in the regulation of advanced AI systems and platforms but also highlights concerns surrounding the influence of major tech platforms like X.

The Paris prosecutor’s office has not publicly disclosed specific examples of the alleged algorithmic bias. However, an email to Reuters stated, “Prosecutors and specialized assistants from the cybercrime unit are analyzing it and carrying out initial technical checks.” 

These allegations suggest that X’s algorithms may have unfairly distorted how information is processed and displayed, potentially influencing digital discourse in unintended or potentially harmful ways.

This is not the first investigation where the J3 unit has scrutinized prominent social platforms or their leadership. The same unit led an inquiry into Telegram CEO Pavel Durov last year, resulting in close monitoring and cooperation mandates for the messaging app to curb illegal content. 

Similarly, X faced regulatory action in Brazil after being blocked for failing to prevent the spread of misinformation until it eventually complied with a Supreme Court mandate. 

Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, has faced continued criticism over its governance. Musk’s support for right-wing political parties and leaders in countries such as Germany and the U.K. has fueled fears of algorithmic manipulation and undue foreign interference.