Elon Musk did not appear before French prosecutors on Monday after being formally summoned for questioning in an investigation into the alleged misuse of his social media platform X.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed his absence on 20 April, making clear that the billionaire did not attend the scheduled proceedings.
In a statement, prosecutors said they had “acknowledged the absence of the first individuals summoned”, adding that “their presence or absence does not impede the continuation of the investigation”.
Authorities did not disclose the exact time or location of the summons. Musk has previously described the French case as a “political attack.”
Musk, together with former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino, was summoned in his capacity as both de facto (in practice) and de jure (according to law) manager of the platform at the time of the alleged offences.
The investigation, opened in January 2025, is being led by the National Cyber Unit of the French Gendarmerie.
Prosecutors say the probe concerns potential violations of French law, which X is required to comply with while operating on French territory. Allegations include possible complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material and the creation or dissemination of sexually explicit deepfake images generated using artificial intelligence without victims’ consent.
Investigators are also examining X’s AI chatbot, Grok, focusing on whether it was used to produce or facilitate such content.
Monday’s hearing was classified as a voluntary interview, meaning authorities sought to question Musk without placing him under arrest. However, despite this classification, attendance under such a summons is, in principle, mandatory.
At this stage, French prosecutors do not have the legal power to forcibly compel Musk to appear.
Legal experts note that repeated failure to respond to a summons may nonetheless prompt authorities to escalate proceedings, including the possibility of placing the individual in police custody at a later stage.
Musk did not publicly explain his absence, and his representatives could not be reached for comment ahead of the hearing. He has consistently denied the allegations.
The summons followed a February raid on X’s Paris offices, where cybercrime investigators seized materials linked to suspected fraudulent data extraction and alleged manipulation of content algorithms.
Initially focused on technical data issues, the investigation was later expanded to include deepfake creation and potential failures in content moderation.
The case has intensified tensions between European regulators and U.S. technology firms over free speech, platform governance and data protection.
Reports suggest the U.S. Department of Justice declined to cooperate, viewing the probe as politically motivated in a written letter. The Paris prosecutor’s office said it was unaware of the letter, while reaffirming the independence of France’s judiciary.
The same French cybercrime unit overseeing the investigation into X previously arrested Telegram founder Pavel Durovin 2024 on charges including alleged complicity in organised criminal activity carried out through the messaging platform. Durov’s lawyer dismissed the accusations at the time as “absurd.”
In a post on X late on Monday, Durov criticised the French authorities, stating that “France is losing legitimacy as it weaponises criminal investigations to suppress free speech and privacy.”
The case has unfolded amid broader transatlantic tensions, with U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly accusing European governments of unfairly targeting American technology companies through fines, taxation and regulation.
Former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino and several current and former X employees have also been summoned, as the investigation continues despite Musk’s failure to appear.
Iran has sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war through mediator Pakistan, according to IRNA, as Qatar’s Prime Minister...
British paratroopers and military medics have been deployed to Tristan da Cunha after a suspected hantavirus case was confirmed, as first evacuatio...
Iran said on Sunday (10 May) that it had sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at launching peace talks to end the war, as signs of tentative ...
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has cited Azerbaijan as an example of what he described as a sovereign foreign policy, recalling rem...
China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies a...
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has warned that France risks undermining the self-determination rights of the Kanak Indigenous People in New Caledonia amid proposed political and constitutional reforms.
Azerbaijan says political pressure and what it describes as biased rhetoric from some European institutions are complicating peace efforts with Armenia and undermining neutrality in the negotiations.
European leaders gathered in Yerevan on 4–5 May for the European Political Community (EPC) summit and the first EU–Armenia summit, placing the South Caucasus and its fragile peace process at the centre of regional diplomacy.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Efforts to end the U.S.-Iran war appeared to stall as the two sides exchanged fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz. A reported CIA assessment suggested Tehran could withstand a U.S. naval blockade for months despite mounting sanctions and renewed Gulf attacks.
British paratroopers and military medics have been deployed to Tristan da Cunha after a suspected hantavirus case was confirmed, as first evacuation flights carrying passengers from the stricken MV Hondius cruise ship left Tenerife for Madrid and Paris.
Russia is holding a significantly scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May 2026, reflecting heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Indonesian rescue teams have located two Singaporeans who went missing after Mount Dukono erupted on Friday (8 May) on the island of Halmahera, though authorities say it remains unclear whether they are alive.
The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified files on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) on Friday (8 May), following an order from President Donald Trump. U.S. officials described as a push for “unprecedented transparency”.
China’s leading chipmakers are funnelling unprecedented sums into research and development as Beijing accelerates efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology amid intensifying U.S. export restrictions.
Centre-right leader Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister on Saturday, propelled into office on promises of change after years of economic stagnation and strained ties with key allies under his predecessor Viktor Orbán.
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has warned that France risks undermining the self-determination rights of the Kanak Indigenous People in New Caledonia amid proposed political and constitutional reforms.
Somalia is facing a severe malnutrition crisis and urgently needs additional humanitarian funding to prevent conditions deteriorating further, the World Food Programme has warned.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to carry on as leader on Friday (8 May) after his ruling Labour Party suffered heavy losses in local elections. Labour lost hundreds of councillors across the country, as some figures in the party said he should stand down.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment