Paris Prosecutor Denies Political Pressure in X Investigation Belonging to Elon Musk

JAKARTA - Legal authorities in Paris have confirmed their independence in investigating the X social media platform, following reports that the US government has refused to cooperate.

The Paris prosecutor said he was unaware of a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice that reportedly refused to help the investigation. Previous reports said the refusal was based on the assumption that the investigation was political.

"The French Constitution guarantees the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary," the prosecutor's official statement to Reuters said.

Illegal Content to Deepfake

The investigation into the X platform - which is owned by Elon Musk - focuses on alleged serious violations, including involvement in the distribution of child pornography and the creation of sexual deepfakes.

The case also includes allegations of manipulation of algorithms that could affect the distribution of content on the platform, as well as potential misuse of user data.

Previously, X's office in France had been searched as part of an investigation that has been ongoing for more than a year.

Musk Summoned

Elon Musk is scheduled to give testimony to investigators on April 20. However, there is no certainty whether he will attend.

In a report quoted by the media, the US side was said to assess that this investigation could potentially violate the principle of freedom of expression as guaranteed in the United States Constitution.

In response, Musk shared media reports on the X platform with a brief comment: "This has to stop."

Global spotlight on X

Since Musk's acquisition, X has been under the close scrutiny of regulators in various countries. Governments and regulators have highlighted issues of content moderation, data protection, and compliance with local laws.

The Paris prosecutor confirmed that the presence or absence of X executives would not hinder the legal process.

Digital Regulation and Freedom

This case reflects the increasingly visible tension between national regulation and the principle of freedom of expression in the global digital era.

On the one hand, the government is trying to protect users from harmful content and misuse of technology. On the other hand, technology companies and some parties in the US see the move as a potential restriction of the digital public space.

With the legal process still ongoing, this case has the potential to become an important precedent in determining the boundaries between digital freedom and platform responsibility - an issue that is increasingly relevant amid the rapid flow of global information.

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