French Authorities Raid X’s Paris Offices, Summon Elon Musk in Criminal Probe Over Child Abuse Images
In a dramatic escalation of the legal battles facing Elon Musk social media giant X, French prosecutors raided the platform’s Paris headquarters on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The operation is part of a widening preliminary investigation into allegations of complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sexually explicit deepfakes.
Billionaire owner Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have both been summoned to Paris for voluntary questioning on April 20, 2026.
The Charges: Complicity and Deepfakes
The raid was carried out by the Paris prosecutor’s office cybercrime unit, supported by Europol and the French national cyber police. The investigation, which originally launched in January 2025, has recently expanded to cover several serious allegations:
- Minors and Pornography: Complicity in possessing and spreading pornographic images of minors.
- AI-Generated Abuse: The creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes, particularly through X’s AI chatbot, Grok.
- Holocaust Denial: Disseminating content that denies crimes against humanity, which is a criminal offense in France.
- Algorithmic Manipulation: Alleged manipulation of automated data processing systems to influence public discourse.
Investigators are focusing on whether the platform’s moderation failures and AI tools constitute a criminal level of involvement in the spread of illegal content.
A Dramatic Exit: Prosecutors Abandon X
In a move that underscores the severity of the rift, the Paris prosecutor's office announced it is officially leaving the X platform. In a final post, the office stated it would henceforth distribute information through LinkedIn and Instagram, encouraging followers to join them there instead.
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Musk’s Defense: "Law Enforcement Theatre"
Elon Musk has waste no time in firing back at French authorities, labeling the raid a "political attack" and a "politically motivated criminal investigation". Taking to his own platform, Musk suggested that French law enforcement should focus on actual sex criminals rather than targeting his company.
A spokesperson for X further slammed the operation as "abusive act of law enforcement theatre," claiming it was designed to achieve illegitimate political goals rather than impartial justice.
What Happens Next?
The upcoming voluntary interviews in April will be a critical turning point. While the summons is currently voluntary, legal experts note that a failure to appear could lead French prosecutors to issue formal arrest warrants.
This raid occurs just as X continues to face heavy scrutiny across Europe under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which has already led to significant fines for the platform over data transparency and moderation.
Stay updated on this developing story and the latest in international law at Naija Rave.
