French Ministry of Foreign Affairs defends probe into X

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that its investigation into X – formally known as Twitter – is aimed at enabling the courts to distinguish facts from narratives.

The ministry stressed that the probe seeks to establish whether the platform is preventing harmful or illegal use of its artificial intelligence systems, including ensuring that its artificial intelligence (AI) is deployed responsibly.

Authorities have raised concerns about the sharing of sexualised images of minors, the creation of deepfakes, the spread of hateful content, and the misuse of personal data. Officials say the investigation is about determining whether adequate safeguards are in place.

The investigation by justice will do what courts do best: separate narratives from facts and offer X the opportunity to support its claims of moral superiority by demonstrating that the platform does not facilitate the four offenses listed:

1/ Aiding and abetting the possession… https://t.co/bXVDZFN0DV

— French Response (@FrenchResponse) February 4, 2026

The clarification comes after French authorities raided X’s Paris offices as part of a criminal investigation into the company’s AI chatbot, Grok — a move that prompted the platform to issue a sharply worded statement criticising the probe.

French judicial authorities raided X’s Paris office today in connection with a politicized criminal investigation into alleged manipulation of algorithms and purported fraudulent data extraction. We are disappointed by this development, but we are not surprised. The Paris Public…

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) February 3, 2026

The investigation centres on allegations that illegal or non-consensual content has been generated or shared on the platform. Grok has faced backlash for producing explicit deepfake images without consent, including content involving women and children.

Several countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, have blocked the chatbot, while regulators in the United Kingdom, United States and the European Union are considering legal action.

X owner, Elon Musk, responded on the platform, describing the investigation as a “political attack”.

This is a political attack https://t.co/Z204wJuQIr

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2026

In a related development, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the United Kingdom announced a similar investigation, reflecting growing international concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence on social media platforms.

NEW: We’ve announced formal investigations into X and https://t.co/SjOuPRtZkW in relation to the Grok artificial intelligence system and its potential to produce harmful sexualised image and video content.

Read our full announcement: https://t.co/vnTkMcFi3Z. pic.twitter.com/1Ds4kqAJ55

— ICO – Information Commissioner’s Office (@ICOnews) February 3, 2026

Social media users are divided, with some condemning the investigations as politically motivated, while others have welcomed the global push to tighten regulations and improve online safety.

Investigating child sexual abuse material isn’t controversial.
Turning it into political theater is manipulation.
Maybe that logic flies on some island. Doesn’t fly in France. https://t.co/A8WsRXjHuC

— French Response (@FrenchResponse) February 3, 2026

This is not a political attack. Europe has a law. But this issue has now clearly become an EU foreign policy matter.

It is not only France: authorities across Europe are acting, and the UK Information Commissioner’s Office is currently investigating reports that Grok has been… https://t.co/oWe1Wbk9Ab

— Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen Քրիստինա Վանբերգեն (@VanberghenEU) February 4, 2026

@krisgoldsmith85

French prosecutors executed a search warrant on “X” (Twitter) headquarters in France following a year-long investigation. Elon Musk is in the Epstein Files. And just yesterday, Musk merged xAi (which owns Twitter) with Space-X. Now everything Musk has is at risk of exposure. #elonmusk #spacex #xai #news #politics

♬ original sound – Kristofer Goldsmith

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs responding to Elon Musk’s claims of an political attack after authorities raid X offices in France reg. the spread of CSAM images and deepfakes:

“Maybe that logic flies on some island. Doesn’t fly in France.” https://t.co/db1uDi0b8l pic.twitter.com/5VOoUw87km

— Rachel Dzanashvili (@rachel_dz) February 4, 2026