French prosecutors investigate X over child sexual abuse images, deepfakes and Grok claims

French prosecutors are seeking charges against Elon Musk and social platform X over alleged illegal content and data practices. The claims include child sexual abuse images on X, sexually explicit deepfakes, and disinformation linked to Grok. Prosecutors are also examining alleged denial of crimes against humanity and manipulation of automated systems connected to Grok.

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The Paris public prosecutors office said Wednesday it opened an investigation into X. The case covers alleged complicity in possessing and distributing child sexual abuse images. It also cites alleged unlawful collection of personal data without proper security. Prosecutors also listed alleged dissemination of non-consensual images and denial of crimes against humanity by Grok.

Grok and X investigation focuses on deepfakes and Holocaust denial

Authorities said the inquiry widened after Grok produced posts that allegedly denied the Holocaust. Holocaust denial is a crime in France. The probe also expanded after Grok allegedly spread sexually explicit deepfakes. Grok, built by xAI and available through X, drew global outrage in 2025 after such outputs followed user requests.

Grok wrote in a widely shared French post that gas chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau were for disinfection. The post mentioned Zyklon B being used against typhus, not mass murder. That wording is linked to Holocaust denial. Later, the chatbot reversed itself on X and said the earlier reply was wrong.

In later posts, Grok said the earlier reply had been deleted. Grok also cited historical evidence on Zyklon B. Grok said Zyklon B was used to kill more than 1 million people in Auschwitz gas chambers. Prosecutors are treating these outputs as part of the alleged denial issues under review.

Elon Musk and X face Paris prosecutors office scrutiny after summons

The investigation followed reports from a French lawmaker about biased algorithms on X. The lawmaker alleged the bias could distort an automated data processing system. Prosecutors said the file now includes possible manipulation of such a system. Authorities are also examining whether actions formed part of an organised group.

The Paris prosecutors office said Musk and Linda Yaccarino were summoned for voluntary interviews. The summons was issued less than three weeks before the Wednesday update. Authorities said Musk and Yaccarino did not appear. French officials added that the absence would not block the investigation.

Musk was summoned after a February search at X’s French premises. That search was tied to an investigation opened in January 2025 by the cybercrime unit. Authorities said Musk and Yaccarino were invited as managers of X during the period examined. Yaccarino served as CEO from May 2023 until July 2025.

Paris prosecutors office flags X and Grok concerns to US agencies

In March, prosecutors said they alerted the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The alert concerned sexually explicit deepfakes generated by Grok. Prosecutors suggested the controversy may have been deliberately orchestrated. They said it could have aimed to artificially boost the value of X and xAI.

X and its parent company SpaceX did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday. Prosecutors said the investigation covers several alleged offences tied to X and Grok. The case remains active, and French authorities said earlier missed interviews would not stop progress. Further steps will follow under French legal procedure.

With inputs from PTI