French authorities have raided the Paris offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, as part of a widening investigation into the company and its AI chatbot, Grok. The Paris cybercrime unit, assisted by Europol, conducted the search on Tuesday and has summoned both Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for questioning in April.
The investigation, initially launched in January 2025, focused on alleged algorithm abuse but has since expanded to include Grok’s production of sexual deepfakes and the circulation of Holocaust denial content. X employees are also expected to be questioned as witnesses, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said authorities are examining potential crimes including complicity in the possession and dissemination of child pornography and violations of personal rights through sexually explicit AI-generated images.
The probe comes amid heightened scrutiny of Grok across Europe. Last week, the European Commission launched an investigation into the chatbot following reports that it could produce explicit images, including digitally undressed depictions of women and children. X has said it implemented safeguards to prevent such misuse.
Experts warn that generative AI tools like Grok pose serious risks, particularly to women and girls. Emma Pickering of UK non-profit Refuge said, “The disturbing rise in AI intimate image abuse, facilitated by platforms such as Grok, is not just a digital threat – it has dangerous consequences for women and girls.”
Regulators across multiple countries are taking action. The UK information regulator has opened a separate investigation into Grok’s potential to produce harmful sexualized content. Indonesian and Malaysian authorities briefly blocked the chatbot in January, lifting the ban after X implemented new preventive measures.
The case highlights the growing challenge for policymakers in regulating artificial intelligence, balancing technological innovation with online safety, and protecting vulnerable groups from abuse.
