Prosecutors in France have launched an inquiry into Elon Musk’s X due to claims that the company bent its algorithms to control conversations on the social media site.
TakeAway Points:
- French prosecutors have opened an investigation into X over allegations that it distorted its algorithms.
- The Paris public prosecutor’s office said it received a report from a French lawmaker criticizing X over “biased algorithms” that were “likely to have distorted the operation of an automated data processing system.”
- Tesla sold 63,238 units of its electric cars in January in China, down 11.5% from the 71.447 cars sold in the same month last year.
X faces criminal probe in France over algorithm manipulation concerns
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into Elon Muskhttps://techbullion.com/elon-musk-promotes-far-right-afg-candidate/
’s X over allegations that it distorted its algorithms to manipulate discourse taking place on the social media platform.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office said it received a report from a French lawmaker on Jan. 12 criticizing X over “biased algorithms” that were “likely to have distorted the operation of an automated data processing system.”
Magistrates and specialized assistants of the office’s cybercrime section have been tasked with analyzing the report and carrying out initial technical checks on the platform, the prosecutor’s office said on Friday in emailed comments.
X, which was formerly known as Twitter, has been dogged by concerns surrounding shortcomings on content moderation since Musk bought the platform in 2022 for $44 billion.
According to French radio station Franceinfo, the French lawmaker who sent the report to the prosecutor’s office was Eric Bothorel, an MP in President Emmanuel Macron’s own Ensemble Pour La Republique party.
Meanwhile, the European Union has been investigating X for potential violations of the Digital Services Act, a law that requires social media firms to tackle the spread of harmful content on their platforms.
Last month, the European Commission, which is the executive arm of the EU, asked X to hand over internal documents about its algorithms by Feb. 15 as part of its ongoing DSA investigation into the company.
X has been accused of manipulating its systems to give far-right posts and politicians greater visibility over other political groups.
Musk has made several public statements in Germany voicing support for the country’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, even making a surprise virtual appearance at a campaign event last month.
The AfD was polling second ahead of Germany’s upcoming Feb. 23 general election.
Tesla car sales in China fall 11.5%
Sales of Tesla’s cars to China fell in January as competition from domestic rivals continued to heat up.
Tesla sold 63,238 units of its electric cars in January, down 11.5% from the 71,447 cars sold in the same month last year.
Shares of Tesla were down about 1.5% in premarket trading.
Chinese rival BYD meanwhile sold 296,446 pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles last month, up 47% year-on-year.
Other Chinese rivals of Tesla, including Changan Automobile and Xpeng, also posted growth in sales.
Tesla has attempted to use price cuts as an incentive to retain Chinese’ buyers interest in its car. Late last year, Tesla slashed the price of its Model Y car and also extended a zero-interest five-year loan plan until the end of January.
Last month, the U.S. giant also announced a revamped version of the Model Y — one of its best-selling EV autos — in China. This also came with a 0% interest plan.
Tesla has not introduced a new model since it began delivering the Cybertruck in late 2023, which starts at nearly $80,000. Investors have been yearning for a new mass-market model from the company to reinvigorate sales.
Tesla has said a new affordable model could be launched in the first half of 2025.
Meanwhile, the automaker is pushing to launch its driver assist system, which it markets as “Full Self Driving,” in China this year, as rivals also roll out similar features.
