French Authorities Storm X's Paris Offices, Summon Elon Musk Amid Shocking Cybercrime Allegations

French authorities executed a high-profile raid on X's Paris offices on February 3, 2026, escalating a year-long cybercrime investigation. Prosecutors targeted allegations of the platform's role in disseminating illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, non-consensual deepfakes, and Holocaust denial.

The operation involved collaboration with Europol and French cyber units. In a bold move, officials summoned X owner Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino for voluntary interviews on April 20. This development underscores growing scrutiny on social media giants and their AI tools.

What the Paris Police Raid Revealed

Investigators searched X's French headquarters early Tuesday morning. The Paris Prosecutor's Office confirmed the raid as part of an expanded probe. Authorities seized documents and data related to X's algorithms and content moderation practices.

Sources indicate the focus centered on how the platform's AI chatbot, Grok, allegedly facilitated harmful content. Europol provided technical support, highlighting the international scope of the case. No arrests occurred during the raid, but the action signals a firm stance against online harms.

Inside the Cybercrime Probe Targeting X

The investigation launched in January 2025 after complaints about X's algorithm interfering in French politics. Prosecutors expanded it to include seven offenses. These encompass complicity in possessing and spreading child pornographic images, violating image rights through deepfakes, and promoting Holocaust denial.

Additional charges involve fraudulent data extraction and algorithmic manipulation by a criminal group. French officials aim to determine if X's systems enabled these crimes. The probe reflects broader European efforts to enforce digital accountability under laws like the Digital Services Act.

Elon Musk Summoned for Voluntary Interview

Prosecutors issued summons for Elon Musk, X's owner and CEO of xAI, SpaceX, and Tesla. They also called Linda Yaccarino, who stepped down as X's CEO. The voluntary interviews, set for April 20, allow Musk and Yaccarino to present their perspectives on compliance measures. X employees received witness summons for the week of April 20-24. Musk has not commented publicly yet, but the summons marks a rare direct challenge to a tech mogul. This step emphasizes personal accountability for platform leaders.

Background and Evolution of the Investigation

The case originated from two complaints in January 2025, prompting a police probe in July 2025. Initial concerns focused on data manipulation and political interference via X's recommendation algorithms. Recent expansions stem from reports of Grok generating or amplifying illegal content, such as sexual deepfakes and antisemitic material.

French prosecutors described the approach as "constructive," aiming to ensure X complies with national laws. The involvement of Europol suggests potential cross-border implications, as similar issues plague platforms worldwide.

AI, Algorithms, and Legal Risk in Europe

The Paris probe reflects deeper regulatory and legal scrutiny by European authorities over social media platforms’ use of artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems. Specific concerns include that generative AI tools such as X’s Grok may produce or recommend content that violates digital safety and rights protections.

In addition to the French action, the European Union recently launched a separate investigation into whether X’s handling of AI-generated content breaches the Digital Services Act, a landmark EU regulation that demands transparency and accountability from tech platforms.

Authorities in the EU have broad punitive powers under this law, including fines based on a company’s global revenue should serious harms be confirmed.

This raid poses significant risks for X. Potential outcomes include fines, operational restrictions, or forced algorithm changes in France. It highlights tensions between free speech advocates and regulators combating online harms.

Musk's acquisition of Twitter (rebranded as X) in 2022 sparked debates over content moderation, with critics accusing the platform of lax policies. Broader effects could influence how AI tools like Grok handle sensitive content. Other platforms may face similar scrutiny, pushing for industry-wide reforms.