Elon Musk failed to appear on Monday for a mandatory summons in Paris, the latest escalation in a French criminal investigation into X and its artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the absence of the "first individuals summoned," a group understood to include Musk, following a February raid on the social media platform’s French headquarters.
The investigation, which initially focused on algorithmic abuse and fraudulent data extraction, has expanded significantly in recent months. Authorities are now examining allegations of complicity in the distribution of child pornography and the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes via Grok. While the hearing was legally mandatory, French authorities currently lack the immediate leverage to compel the billionaire’s physical presence in court.
The standoff highlights the deepening rift between European regulators and Musk’s vision of an unfettered digital commons. Musk has previously dismissed the proceedings as "politically motivated," framing the legal pressure as an assault on free expression. Despite his absence, the Paris prosecutor’s office noted that the investigation will continue unabated, signaling that the administrative machinery of the European state remains unmoved by the platform's defiance.
With reporting from InfoMoney.
Source · InfoMoney
