The preliminary investigation opened at the start of the year by the Paris prosecutor’s office against the social network X following suspicions of foreign interference is closer to Elon Musk, the powerful owner of the social network. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, announced, Friday, July 11, in a statement, that this investigation was aimed “The X platform (ex-Twitter), [une] legal person and [des] natural persons “ And having entrusted it, on July 9, to the national gendarmerie. The Paris prosecutor’s office did not specify the identity of “Natural persons”.
The investigation relates to two serious accusations: “Warning of operation” et “Fraudulent data extraction” of a computer system “In organized gang”. Two heavy offenses in computer hacking, for which the Criminal Code provides up to ten years in prison and a fine of 300,000 euros. The appointment of an investigating service will allow the prosecution, in theory, to diligent searches and hearings.
The Paris prosecutor’s office had opened an investigation in February, after having received two reports, in particular from the deputy (ensemble for the Republic) Eric Bothorel, concerning a possible role played by X in operations of political interference in Europe. The social network led by Elon Musk is notably suspected of having modified its content display algorithms to highlight favorable themes to the extreme right, and having given increased visibility to candidates in recent elections in Europe – by promoting, for example, the German Far Right Party Alternativ Für Deutschland (AFD), which Mr. Musk supports personally.
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