Tech billionaire Elon Musk failed to appear on Monday for a voluntary interview with prosecutors in Paris, as authorities continue their investigation into his social media platform X and its AI chatbot Grok.
French prosecutors confirmed that those summoned did not attend but stressed that their absence would not hinder the ongoing investigation. The probe, initially launched in January 2025, is examining allegations that X’s algorithm may have been used to interfere in French politics.
The investigation has since widened to include more serious concerns, such as the spread of Holocaust denial content and the creation of ualized deepfake images through Grok. Authorities are also looking into potential criminal offenses, including the dissemination of illegal material and complicity in harmful digital content.
Earlier in February, officials conducted searches at X’s Paris offices, a move the company criticized as politically motivated and legally excessive. At the same time, both Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino were summoned for questioning as key figures overseeing the platform during the period under review.
The controversy has drawn international attention, especially as similar concerns emerge beyond France. In the United Kingdom, regulators have opened inquiries into whether X and Musk’s AI company comply with data protection laws. Meanwhile, the European Union has also launched its own probe into the risks associated with AI generated deepfakes.
Adding to the debate, Pavel Durov publicly criticized French authorities, accusing them of using investigations to suppress free speech and privacy. His comments highlight growing tensions between governments and tech companies over content moderation and platform accountability.
Despite denying wrongdoing, X remains under increasing scrutiny as regulators worldwide intensify efforts to address misinformation, harmful AI outputs, and the broader societal impact of digital platforms.
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