Elon Musk accuses French authorities of political attack after Paris office raid

Social media X

• French authorities raided X's Paris office over algorithm and data practices
• X called the raid political, denying allegations of algorithm manipulation
• X warned the investigation threatens free speech and sets a troubling precedent

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French judicial authorities raided X’s Paris office on Monday, escalating a criminal investigation into the platform’s algorithms and data practices. The move has triggered a sharp response from X, which accused prosecutors of abusing their powers for political ends rather than pursuing justice.

In a strongly worded statement, X said it was “disappointed but not surprised” by the raid, arguing that the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office had deliberately turned the operation into a public spectacle. According to the company, the widely publicised action amounted to “law enforcement theatre” designed to advance political objectives, not to establish facts through a fair and impartial process.

X claimed that French authorities are attempting to exert pressure on the company’s senior management in the United States by targeting its French subsidiary and local employees, even though they are not the focus of the investigation. The company said prosecutors bypassed established international legal procedures that exist to obtain evidence across borders, instead opting for a raid that it believes undermines due process.

“These procedural mechanisms are well known and used on a daily basis by judicial authorities around the world,” X said, adding that French prosecutors ignored them while also limiting the company’s ability to properly defend itself.

The investigation centres on allegations that X manipulated its algorithms and engaged in fraudulent data extraction. X has categorically denied the claims, describing them as baseless. The company said the raid reinforced its view that the case represents a distortion of French law and poses risks to free expression.

X owner Elon Musk echoed that view, characterising the raid as a political attack on the platform. Musk has repeatedly accused European regulators of targeting X for its approach to content moderation and speech, particularly since he acquired the company in 2022.

The company warned that the actions of French authorities could have broader implications beyond X itself. In its statement, X said the investigation threatens free speech and sets a troubling precedent for how governments can use criminal law to pressure technology platforms.

Despite the raid, X said it will not be intimidated and intends to defend both its own rights and those of its users. The company did not say whether it plans to challenge the raid in court, but made clear it views the investigation as an ongoing confrontation with French authorities rather than a routine legal matter.