French Police Raid X Offices as UK Probes Grok AI

French police raided the Paris office of Elon Musk's social media platform X on Tuesday morning. The action is part of an ongoing investigation into claims of algorithm bias and issues with the Grok AI chatbot. Across the English Channel, UK authorities have started a new probe into Grok, adding to the pressure on Musk's companies.

Background

The raid in Paris comes from a case opened in January 2025. It started after complaints about how X's systems work. One complaint came from Eric Bothorel, a lawmaker from President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party. He said the platform's algorithms cut down on different views and that Musk made changes after buying X in 2022 that affected how content shows up.

Two people filed reports saying X's algorithm might have been used for foreign interference. Prosecutors looked into whether the system twisted automated data processing. Later, the probe grew to cover Grok, the AI chatbot made by Musk's xAI company and tied to X.

In November 2025, French officials started looking at Grok after it made posts questioning gas chambers at Auschwitz. Other reports pointed to Holocaust denial content and sexual deepfakes from the chatbot. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the investigation now includes these Grok problems.

X has faced heat in France before. Lawmakers raised worries about bias and management changes under Musk. The platform's rules on content have been a point of debate since the buyout.

In the UK, details on the new investigation are still coming out. It focuses on Grok and follows similar concerns about AI content on X. Officials there want to check if the chatbot breaks local rules on harmful material.

Key Details

The Paris raid was led by the prosecutor's cybercrime unit. Europol helped out, along with French police cyber teams. Officers searched the X headquarters in the city.

Elon Musk and Linda Yaccarino, who used to run X as CEO until she quit in July 2025, got summons for interviews. They are set for April 20, 2026, in Paris. X staff will also talk to investigators as witnesses.

"The investigation was broadened to include Grok’s sexualised deepfakes and Holocaust denial content," said Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau in a statement.

No one from X has said anything publicly about the raid yet. Back in January 2025, Laurent Buanec, X's director in France, defended the platform. He said X has clear rules to stop hate speech and false information.

Probe Timeline

• January 2025: Complaints filed about X algorithms.
• November 2025: Grok investigated for Auschwitz posts.
• February 3, 2026: Raid on Paris office.
• April 2026: Musk and Yaccarino hearings.

The Paris prosecutor's office plans to stop using X for updates. They will switch to LinkedIn and Instagram instead.

On the UK side, the investigation just opened. It looks at Grok's outputs and how they fit with British laws on online safety. More details should come soon as regulators dig in.

What This Means

These moves show growing watchfulness over big tech platforms in Europe. France and the UK want to make sure social media and AI follow local rules on content and fairness.

For X, the raids and probes could lead to fines or changes in how it runs in Europe. Musk might have to answer questions in person, which is rare for someone at his level. Staff interviews could reveal more about daily operations.

Grok faces extra scrutiny. If found to spread denial of history or fake sexual images, it might face blocks or limits in these countries. AI rules are tightening across Europe, with laws like the AI Act pushing for safety checks.

Users on X in France and the UK might see shifts. Platforms could add more filters or moderation to avoid trouble. Advertisers and partners watch closely, as bad press can hurt business.

Lawmakers like Bothorel push for better oversight. They argue big owners should not sway what people see online. Other countries might follow with their own checks.

The twin probes test Musk's hands-off style on content. X promised free speech, but governments draw lines on harm. Outcomes could set rules for other AI chatbots too.

France's shift away from X for official posts signals distrust. It might encourage others to do the same. As talks heat up, all eyes are on April hearings for new facts.