Economy February 3, 2026

Paris Prosecutors Expand Inquiry Into X, Summon Elon Musk for April Questioning

Investigation opened in January 2025 into alleged algorithm abuse and data extraction widened after complaints about X's Grok chatbot

By Marcus Reed
Paris Prosecutors Expand Inquiry Into X, Summon Elon Musk for April Questioning

French prosecutors in Paris said they have broadened a criminal investigation into the social media service X and will question Elon Musk in April. The probe, started in January 2025 into alleged misuse of algorithms and fraudulent data extraction, has been extended following complaints tied to X's AI chatbot Grok. Prosecutors listed a range of possible offenses now under review.

Key Points

  • Paris prosecutors widened an inquiry into X and summoned Elon Musk to be questioned in April; the probe was initially opened in January 2025 into alleged algorithm abuse and fraudulent data extraction.
  • Complaints related to X's AI chatbot Grok led authorities to expand the investigation to include a range of possible criminal offences.
  • Sectors potentially implicated include social media platforms, AI development and deployment, and legal/regulatory services due to the nature of the alleged offences.

French prosecutors on Tuesday announced an enlargement of their probe into X, the social media platform controlled by Elon Musk, and said they have summoned the tech entrepreneur to appear for questioning in April.

The case originated in January 2025 as an inquiry into alleged abuse of algorithms and the fraudulent extraction of data from automated systems. Prosecutors said the scope of the investigation has been broadened after new complaints related to Grok, X's artificial intelligence chatbot.

In public statements, the Paris office outlined the specific potential offences it is now examining. Those alleged crimes, as listed by prosecutors, include:

  • Complicity in the possession of images of minors of a pornographic nature
  • Complicity in the organised distribution, offering, or making available of images of minors of a pornographic nature
  • Defamation of a person’s image (deepfakes of sexual nature)
  • Denial of crimes against humanity (Holocaust denial)
  • Fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system by an organised group
  • Falsification of the operation of an automated data processing system by an organised group
  • Operating of an illegal online platform by an organised group

Prosecutors did not provide additional detail on the timing of the complaints that prompted the expansion or on the evidence underlying the allegations. The announcement communicated the list of suspected offences and the scheduled summons for questioning, but offered no further public commentary on next steps or potential timelines for formal charges.

The office reiterated the formal nature of the inquiry and confirmed the procedural step of summoning the platform’s owner to be heard in April. Beyond the items the prosecutor listed, authorities have not made other claims public at this stage.


Context note: The information here reflects the assertions and procedural actions reported by the Paris prosecutor's office regarding the investigation into X and Grok. No additional facts, evidence, or outcomes have been announced by prosecutors in the statements cited.

Risks

  • Legal uncertainty: Prosecutors are investigating a series of alleged crimes, and outcomes remain undetermined pending further inquiry and any formal charges.
  • Operational and reputational risk for X: The expansion of the probe to complaints about Grok raises scrutiny of the platform's AI features, with potential implications for user trust and platform operations.
  • Regulatory and compliance attention: The list of alleged offences touches on data processing and platform operations, which could draw increased regulatory oversight for similar technology services.

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