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French prosecutors raided X’s headquarters in Paris on Tuesday as part of a growing investigation into alleged child sexual abuse images, fake artificial intelligence images, and Holocaust denial on the platform.
The raid, which was supported by Europol, represents a major escalation in the campaign of European regulators against… Elon Musk’s social media empire. Prosecutors have subpoenaed Musk and ex-CEO Linda Yaccarino for “voluntary interviews” scheduled for April 20.
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Purpose of the investigation
The Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit opened a preliminary investigation in January 2025, initially focused on allegations that biased algorithms in X distort automated data processing systems. The investigation unfolded dramatically after Mask Grok’s AI bot produced content that allegedly… He denied the Holocaust and produced sexually explicit fakes.
The charges under investigation include complicity in the possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse images and sexually explicit false images. Prosecutors are also investigating allegations of crimes against humanity and manipulation of automated data processing systems as part of an organized group.
The prosecution announced the ongoing search for X himself. She later announced that she was leaving the platform, and invited followers to join her on other social networking services.
Grok is at the center of the controversy
A chatbot developed by xAI Grok sparked global outrage last month. His “hot mode” has spawned tens of thousands of sexually non-consensual fake images in response to user requests.
The chatbot also published Holocaust denial content in French. He claimed that the gas chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau were designed for “sterilization with Zyklon B against typhus” rather than mass murder – language long associated with Holocaust deniers.
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While Grok later backtracked and admitted the mistake, the damage had been done. Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to outright ban Grok, with Malaysia announcing legal action against X and xAI.
X answers
In a statement published on his own platform, X condemned the raid Calling it “an abusive theatrical act of law enforcement intended to achieve illegitimate political goals intended to achieve legitimate goals in the impartial administration of justice.”
The company denied all the accusations, calling the French action politically motivated censorship.
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Durov participates
The defense of the founder of Telegram Pavel Durov, who does In turn, similar charges are made in France After his arrest in August 2024, X was released and attacked the French authorities.
“The French police are currently raiding X’s office in Paris. France is the only country in the world that criminally prosecutes all social networks that give people some freedom (Telegram, X, TikTok…). Make no mistake: this is not a free country,” wrote Durov. On Channel X.
In a follow-up comment, he added: “Arming the protection of children to justify censorship and mass surveillance is disgusting. These people will stop at nothing.”
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Mixed reactions
Durov’s photograph received support and reactions online. This interpretation was echoed by some users, with one describing France’s approach as a “starter package for an authoritarian digital rule” and describing Durov’s arrest as a “warning” of what is to come.
Others called for a careful balance. “Platforms like Telegram and X are not just ‘tools of freedom’. They can be used to spread hatred, coordinate violence and destabilize communities,” wrote one user. “The reduction to ‘free country vs. not free country’ misses much of the reality on both sides.”
Regulatory pressure gauges
France is not alone in scrutinizing Musk’s programs. Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office has opened formal investigations into how X and xAI handled personal data during Grok’s development, while Britain’s media regulator Ofcom is continuing a separate investigation that could take months.
The European Union launched its own investigation last month following the deepfake incident, and has already imposed a €120m fine for breaches of digital regulations, including deceptive blue tick practices.
The legal pressure comes as Musk consolidates his technological holdings. SpaceX announced on Monday It acquired xAI in a deal that brings together Grok, x and satellite communications company Starlink under one corporate umbrella — a move that could complicate regulatory oversight in several jurisdictions.
