French authorities have launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, summoning Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino to appear for voluntary interviews in Paris on April 20, 2026. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the move, stating the probe centers on concerns over X’s algorithmic content recommendations, data collection practices, and potential political interference. The investigation was initiated in January 2025 and has since expanded to include allegations that X enables the sharing of nonconsensual, AI-generated sexually explicit imagery and Holocaust denial content. A search of X’s Paris offices was carried out by French cybercrime authorities, with assistance from Europol, the European Union’s joint law enforcement agency. The probe reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of X across Europe. In December 2025, the EU imposed a $140 million fine on X over its controversial blue checkmark verification system, which critics said facilitated scams and impersonation. The platform has also faced mounting pressure over its AI tool, Grok, which has repeatedly allowed users to digitally undress real people in photos—creating explicit images without consent. Despite X’s public claims in January 2026 that it had implemented technical safeguards to block such image editing, a CBS News investigation found the feature remained active weeks later for users in the U.S., U.K., and EU, including premium subscribers. The British government has warned that X could face a nationwide ban in the U.K. if it fails to disable the so-called “bikini-fy” function. The EU has also launched a separate investigation into Grok’s role in spreading illegal content, including potential child sexual abuse material. X’s parent company, xAI, which acquired X in March 2025, was recently folded into Musk’s SpaceX, but the platform remains under regulatory fire. X and Musk have dismissed the French and broader European probes as politically motivated attacks on free speech, calling them baseless. Musk, who also leads Tesla and SpaceX, has not responded directly to the latest developments. Yaccarino stepped down as CEO in July 2025 after two years at the helm. The Paris prosecutor’s office has also announced it will shift its public communications to platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, moving away from X. Financially, X continues to struggle, with declining ad revenue and a significant drop in valuation. The platform’s regulatory woes are compounding its business challenges, as governments across Europe tighten oversight of digital platforms. The French investigation, while not yet resulting in charges, signals a broader trend of legal accountability for tech companies operating at scale. This case underscores the tension between innovation and regulation in the digital age, particularly as AI tools like Grok blur the lines between user-generated content and harmful, manipulated media. With multiple investigations underway in Europe, X faces a complex legal and reputational landscape. The outcome of the French probe could set a precedent for how courts and regulators handle AI-driven content risks, especially when it involves nonconsensual image manipulation and algorithmic influence. For now, the platform remains under intense scrutiny as regulators push for accountability in the era of generative AI.