We cannot stand by and do nothing as social media platforms are used for political dirty tricks

The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s X based on a complaint by the French centrist coalition Ensemble Pour La Republique for allegedly distorting the social network’s algorithms. EPR lawmaker Éric Bothorel sent a letter to the prosecutor’s office on January 12 saying X systematically uses biased algorithms.

It is clear that since Musk bought X, its algorithms have been manipulated, both to give preference to his flamboyant owner’s updates, as well as to promote right-wing views.

The use of social media algorithms for influence elections and shape public opinion is now part of the new normal. In July 2024, it became clear that young Germans looking for information about parties and candidates on TikTok were being exposed to a disproportionate amount of content related to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD party) as it sought to raise its profile in the run-up to EU elections, clearly breaking the rules that control electoral information.

The first round of November’s Romanian general elections had to be cancelled for the same reasons, after a minor far-right party’s strong performance was attributed to interference by TikTok.