Paris prosecutors seek charges against Elon Musk, X and xAI

Paris prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation into X and are seeking charges against Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino and several companies linked to the platform over multiple offenses.

The investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office, which said it is targeting the operation of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Prosecutors are asking investigating judges to place X.AI Holdings Corp, X Corp, X AI, Musk and Linda Yaccarino, the chief executive of X, under formal investigation.

The alleged offenses listed by prosecutors include complicity in possessing images of a minor of a pedopornographic nature, as well as the organized distribution, offering or making available of pornographic images of minors.

Prosecutors also cited alleged illegal collection of personal data, processing of personal data without adequate security measures, organized fraudulent extraction of data from an automated system, violation of the secrecy of electronic correspondence and organized falsification of the operation of an automated data system.

The investigation also covers the online distribution of sexual algorithmically generated content reproducing the image or words of a person without consent, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Prosecutors said the case also involves the alleged administration of an online platform to allow illegal transactions in an organized group.

The Paris prosecutor’s office further cited the denial of crimes against humanity, allegedly facilitated by Grok, the AI chatbot developed by xAI and integrated into X.

Prosecutors said the case was opened based on reports made to judicial authorities and is aimed at enforcing French law and protecting victims of crimes both online and in real life.

“It is important for this purpose to obtain compliance from platforms with the legislation applying on national territory,” Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.