French authorities escalated their scrutiny of Big Tech on Tuesday, raiding the Paris offices of X, the social media platform owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, as part of a widening criminal investigation into the company’s Grok artificial intelligence chatbot.
According to prosecutors, the early-morning raid was conducted by France’s cybercrime unit in coordination with Europol, signaling a serious expansion of a probe centered on allegations that Grok was used to generate and circulate illegal content. Authorities are examining whether the AI tool produced and helped spread material ranging from sexually explicit deepfakes to content denying the Holocaust.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and emphasized that the search of X’s Paris offices is part of what officials described as a “constructive approach.” In a statement provided to Politico, prosecutors said the goal is to ensure that the X platform complies with French law while operating within the country’s borders.
The criminal probe was formally opened last month after authorities reported a surge in sexually explicit deepfakes created using Grok, including images involving minors. French investigators are now focused on whether the AI system facilitated the creation or dissemination of child sexual abuse material, a serious criminal offense under French law.
This is not the first time Grok has drawn the attention of European authorities. Prosecutors noted that the current investigation follows an earlier inquiry launched last summer into allegations that the chatbot generated antisemitic outputs. That prior scrutiny has now expanded, with officials examining whether Grok may also have contributed to the spread of Holocaust-denial content alongside sexually explicit material.
The raid underscores growing tensions between European regulators and U.S.-based technology companies over content moderation, artificial intelligence, and national sovereignty. French officials have made clear that digital platforms operating within their territory are expected to adhere strictly to local laws, regardless of where the companies are headquartered.
As part of the investigation, Musk and former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino have both been summoned for what prosecutors described as “voluntary interviews.” Those interviews are scheduled for April 20, according to the prosecutor’s office. Authorities did not specify what questions would be posed but indicated the interviews are connected to the broader inquiry into Grok’s use and oversight.
As of Tuesday, X had not issued any public statement regarding the raid or the investigation. The company has also not commented on the allegations surrounding Grok’s alleged role in producing or spreading illegal content.
The unfolding case places renewed pressure on Musk’s platform at a time when debates over free speech, AI regulation, and child protection continue to intensify across Europe. For French authorities, the message appears clear: even the world’s most powerful tech companies are not beyond the reach of national law enforcement when serious allegations are involved.
