X Offices Raided in France as UK Opens Fresh Investigation Into Musk’s Grok AI

French authorities have raided the Paris offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform X as part of a widening criminal investigation into alleged data and content offences, escalating regulatory pressure on the billionaire’s technology empire across Europe.

The raid, carried out by the Paris prosecutor’s cyber-crime unit, forms part of an inquiry into suspected unlawful data extraction and potential complicity in the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors confirmed that both Musk and former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to appear at hearings scheduled for April.

In a parallel development, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced a new investigation into Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Musk’s company xAI, over concerns that it may have generated harmful sexualised images and videos using personal data without consent.

Musk responded angrily to the French action, describing the raid in a post on X as a “political attack.” The company echoed that criticism, accusing French prosecutors of abusing their authority and threatening freedom of expression.

French Investigation Expands to Grok

According to the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began in January 2025, initially focusing on content promoted by X’s recommendation algorithms. Prosecutors later broadened the scope of the inquiry in July to include Grok, Musk’s controversial AI chatbot, amid growing concern over deepfake imagery and sexually explicit content generated using real people’s likenesses.

Following Tuesday’s search, French authorities said they are now examining whether X has breached the law across multiple areas. These include alleged complicity in the possession or organised distribution of pornographic images involving children, violations of image rights through the creation of sexual deepfakes, and fraudulent data extraction by an organised group.

X denied all allegations. In a statement, the company said it was “disappointed but not surprised” by the raid and claimed the action “endangers free speech.” It insisted it had committed no wrongdoing.

Yaccarino, who stepped down as chief executive last year, also criticised French authorities, accusing them of pursuing what she described as “a political vendetta against Americans.”

“To be clear: they are lying,” she wrote on X.

UK Authorities Open Fresh Probe

While French prosecutors intensify their investigation, UK regulators have also sharpened their focus on Grok.

The ICO confirmed on Tuesday that it has launched a probe, in coordination with media regulator Ofcom, into how personal data may have been used in the creation of sexualised images by the AI tool. The move follows widespread criticism earlier this year after explicit deepfake images—often using photographs of real women without their consent—circulated on X.

The controversy prompted outrage from victims, online safety advocates and politicians, placing fresh scrutiny on the platform’s safeguards and moderation practices. X later intervened to curb the practice after regulators raised concerns.

Ofcom said it continues to treat the issue “as a matter of urgency,” but noted that its current powers do not extend to investigating chatbot systems directly. That limitation appears to have prompted the ICO’s involvement, which has broader authority over data protection and privacy.

“The reports about Grok raise deeply troubling questions about how people’s personal data has been used to generate intimate or sexualised images without their knowledge or consent,” said William Malcolm, the ICO’s executive director for regulatory risk and innovation.

He added that the investigation would assess whether “appropriate safeguards were in place” to prevent misuse.

Growing European Scrutiny

The UK and French actions come amid increasing scrutiny of Musk’s AI and social media ventures across the European Union.

In late January, the European Commission announced it had opened an investigation into xAI, citing concerns over the generation and circulation of illicit AI-created images. A Commission spokesperson confirmed this week that officials are in contact with French authorities regarding the raid on X’s Paris office.

The case highlights the growing tension between regulators and technology firms over the rapid deployment of generative AI tools, particularly when they intersect with personal data, consent and online safety laws.

Free Speech Debate Reignited

The French raid has also reignited debate about free speech and platform accountability.

Pavel Durov, founder of the messaging app Telegram, criticised French authorities in a post on X, claiming France was “the only country in the world that is criminally persecuting all social networks that give people some degree of freedom.”

“Don’t be mistaken: this is not a free country,” he added.

Durov himself was arrested in France in August 2024 over alleged moderation failures on Telegram. Prosecutors accused the platform of failing to adequately curb criminal activity. He was released and allowed to leave the country earlier this year after Telegram agreed to make changes, including sharing certain user data with authorities in response to legal requests.

Pressure Mounts on Musk’s Platforms

For Musk, the latest developments add to mounting legal and regulatory challenges facing X and its associated AI products. Since acquiring the platform, the billionaire has repeatedly framed regulatory actions as politically motivated attacks on free speech, while governments argue they are enforcing existing laws designed to protect users and prevent harm.

With investigations now active in France, the UK and at EU level, regulators appear increasingly willing to test how existing legal frameworks apply to generative AI tools like Grok—potentially setting precedents that could shape the future of AI governance across Europe.