EXCLUSIVE: French Lawmaker Who Triggered Criminal Probe Of X Says He Was Targeting Elon Musk’s Politics, Not Foreign Interference

A French lawmaker has stated his recent criminal probe into X, formerly Twitter, was motivated by a desire to scrutinize Elon Musk's political stances rather than concerns about foreign interference on the platform. The politician, identified as a member of France's National Assembly, reportedly filed the complaint alleging "provocation to commit terrorist acts and public apology for terrorism." This action followed repeated instances of offensive content appearing on X after major terrorist attacks in France.

The probe's justification is significant as it shifts the focus from a broad national security concern to a more specific critique of the platform's owner and his political leanings. This incident highlights the growing scrutiny of social media platforms and their content moderation policies by governments worldwide, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions and geopolitical events. The lawmaker's assertion suggests a targeted effort to hold influential figures accountable for the information disseminated on platforms they control.