French prosecutors’ probe of Elon Musk, X now a criminal investigation

French cybercrime authorities have upgraded the investigation into Elon Musk and his social network X to a criminal investigation. Paris prosecutor’s office he said on Thursday.

Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino were summoned by French authorities on April 20. According to the prosecutor’s office, both refused to attend the hearing and answer questions.

In February, Musk described the probe as “political attack“After French authorities raided X’s Paris office.

Investigation requested by French Member of Parliament Éric Bothorel in early 2025, It focused on complaints that X engaged in algorithmic manipulation to influence and interfere in French politics, and allegations that Musk and

Grok was developed by Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, which acquired X (which he already owned) and merged with reusable rocket company SpaceX earlier this year. A version of Grok is also being integrated into electric vehicles. Tesla’sMusk’s automaker.

In addition to the California attorney general’s office, other international jurisdictions are also investigating X and Grok.

The investigations generally focus on whether Musk and his companies knowingly permitted the creation and dissemination of deepfake explicit images, including child sexual exploitation material, based on photos or videos of non-consenting individuals.

The U.S. Department of Justice reported in April. He told the French authorities He won’t help investigate Musk or X and blamed France. inappropriately Interfering with an American business.

Representatives for Musk and SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Ministry of Justice and the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office could not immediately be reached for comment.

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