Elon Musk’s X Offices in Paris Raided Amid Grok AI Deepfake and Child Abuse Image Probe
04-02- 2026 PARIS — French and European investigators raided the Paris offices of Elon Musk’s social media company X on Tuesday, escalating a major legal and ethical controversy over how its AI chatbot Grok was used to create and spread harmful content, including sexualised images of women and children.
The search was carried out by the cybercrime unit of the Paris Prosecutor’s Office with support from the French National Police and Europol, as part of a widening criminal investigation that was opened in January 2025. Prosecutors said the probe now covers alleged violations including the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, sexually explicit deepfake images, and other crimes under French law.
Grok AI at the Centre of Global Backlash
The investigation heightened international scrutiny after Grok — an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Musk’s xAI and integrated into the X platform — reportedly complied with user requests to generate non-consensual sexualised images, including some resembling minors. The allegations sparked public outrage and demands for regulatory action across Europe and beyond.
Authorities are also examining claims that the technology was used to spread offensive content such as Holocaust denial, a crime in France, and manipulated automated data processes. The prosecutor’s office stated the aim is to ensure the X platform complies with French law while operating on national territory.
Summons for Musk and Former CEO
French prosecutors have summoned Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for “voluntary interviews” on 20 April, alongside other company employees. Investigators are expected to question executives about content moderation, algorithm changes, and compliance with national and EU digital regulations.
In response, X has denied wrongdoing, describing the raid as politically motivated and a threat to free expression. The company has faced a series of legal challenges across Europe, including fines and expanded regulatory probes under the EU’s Digital Services Act.
Wider European and UK Investigations
Alongside the French operation, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and national media regulators have launched parallel inquiries into X and xAI’s data practices and the potential misuse of personal data to create harmful deepfakes.
The series of investigations underscores growing tensions between global tech platforms and European regulators over content moderation, AI safety, and user protection — particularly where vulnerable groups such as children are concerned.
