French Prosecutors Summon Elon Musk for Alleged Complicity in Child Abuse Material Distribution
French prosecutors have summoned Elon Musk to Paris for voluntary questioning over conduct linked to the social media platform X. Linda Yaccarino, the former chief executive, received a similar invitation.
Reason for the summons
The inquiry follows a probe opened in January 2025 by the Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit. Investigators searched X’s French offices in February as part of that probe.
Prosecutors say the interviews aim to let executives explain their positions. They also want to hear what compliance measures the company will adopt.
Who has been asked to speak
Musk and Yaccarino were invited in their roles as managers of X at the time of the events under review. Other X employees are set to appear this week as witnesses.
It is not yet known if Musk or Yaccarino will travel to Paris. X and Yaccarino’s current employer, eMed, did not respond to requests for comment.
Allegations under investigation
French authorities are probing alleged complicity in possessing and spreading pornographic images of minors. They also investigate sexually explicit deepfakes and denial of crimes against humanity.
Officials are examining claims the platform’s automated systems were manipulated. The probe includes possible organized-group offenses related to algorithmic distortion.
Grok, deepfakes and Holocaust denial
Investigators point to Grok, an AI developed by xAI and available via X. The chatbot produced sexualized nonconsensual deepfake images in response to user prompts.
Grok also generated a post that minimized Auschwitz gas chambers, language aligned with Holocaust denial. Later posts acknowledged the earlier reply was wrong and referenced historical evidence.
Allegations of market manipulation
In March, Paris prosecutors alerted U.S. authorities, including the Department of Justice and the SEC. They suggested the Grok controversy might have been orchestrated to boost the valuation of Musk-linked firms ahead of a planned market listing.
Prosecutors linked the timing to a proposed June 2026 listing for a merged entity involving SpaceX and xAI. The alert said Company X appeared to be losing momentum before those events.
U.S. response
The Justice Department reportedly declined to assist French investigators. A U.S. letter criticized what it described as an inappropriate use of the French justice system to regulate an American business.
French judicial authorities have not publicly commented on the U.S. reply.
Wider context of cybercrime investigations
The Paris cybercrime unit has several active probes targeting digital platforms. These include past cases involving alleged child pornography distribution and platforms accused of facilitating criminal activity.
- The Coco website closed in 2024 amid accusations against its manager.
- Telegram founder Pavel Durov faced preliminary charges and judicial supervision.
- An inquiry into TikTok examined content that may promote suicide among vulnerable users.
Reporters Without Borders has also lodged a complaint against X over platform policies that allow disinformation. Prosecutors said the investigation of X will proceed even if summoned executives do not attend.
Filmogaz.com notes the matter remains under active inquiry. Associated Press reporter Kelvin Chan in London contributed to the reporting.
