X slams French criminal probe over alleged algorithm ‘manipulation’

{"text":[[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":11.55,"text":"Elon Musk’s X has attacked a French criminal probe over “the alleged manipulation of its algorithm”, calling it politically motivated and a threat to free speech."}],[{"start":24.04,"text":"In a statement on Monday, the social media service said that French authorities had requested access to the company’s recommendation algorithm, as well as data “about all user posts on the platform”."}],[{"start":36.84,"text":"French prosecutors said in a statement on July 11 that they had opened the investigation into X after looking into reports raised in January from a lawmaker and an unnamed top official that claimed the social network was allegedly interfering in elections and other political issues."}],[{"start":57.03,"text":"In that statement, the Paris prosecutor said it was investigating whether X had engaged in “tampering with the functioning of an automated data processing system” or the “fraudulent extraction of data”."}],[{"start":71.11,"text":"X said it “remains in the dark” about the specific allegations, which it denies, and that it “has not acceded to the French authorities’ demands”."}],[{"start":81.51,"text":"“Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,” it said."}],[{"start":93.71000000000001,"text":"The social media group also said that investigators had asked for access to its “recommendation algorithm” and data about users’ posts, so two experts could examine them."}],[{"start":107.19000000000001,"text":"The Paris prosecutor’s office said that they had not asked for user data, although it did ask for access to the algorithm in a letter to X dated July 19. It added that another inquiry was under way over whether X had allowed brands to target advertisements to users based on their political views — a practice prosecutors said was illegal in Europe."}],[{"start":132.03,"text":"Musk’s company claimed the inquiry was “instigated” by a French lawmaker, Éric Bothorel, who is a member of President Emmanuel Macron’s party, Renaissance."}],[{"start":142.77,"text":"Bothorel told the Financial Times that he had reported to prosecutors alleged problems on X, including lack of moderation and what he called biased promotion of rightwing content."}],[{"start":156.3,"text":"“If the justice system is taking next steps . . . it means they think it is necessary,” said Bothorel. “It will allow further actions to be taken, such as police searches and eventually charges, if any of the allegations are verified.”"}],[{"start":171.84,"text":"The MP said he had been concerned by Musk’s promotion in January of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of elections."}],[{"start":182.08,"text":"The French case comes as the European Commission has also been investigating X over whether it broke the bloc’s digital transparency rules. The FT reported last week that it had delayed a decision in the inquiry until September."}],[{"start":199.58,"text":"The EU has several investigations into X under the Digital Services Act, a set of rules for large online participants to police their platforms more aggressively."}],[{"start":210.97000000000003,"text":"The European Commission said that it held talks with X last week over answers provided by Grok, the AI chatbot made by Musk’s xAI, that could constitute harmful or illegal content. It has not ruled out opening a more formal investigation."}],[{"start":227.82000000000002,"text":"Bothorel said he had been motivated to act at the national level to report allegations against X because he saw the commission as dragging its feet on holding Musk and X accountable."}],[{"start":241.01000000000002,"text":"“If I chose to refer the matter to the justice system, it was also to provoke the commission a bit,” he said. “It’s disheartening to see the European Union fail to take responsibility when it comes to enforcing — and especially applying — the sanctions regimes that were envisioned under the DSA and DMA.”"}],[{"start":262.56,"text":"Additional reporting by Andy Bounds in Brussels"}],[{"start":275.31,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftmailbox.cn/album/a_1753147423_5850.mp3"}