Feb 7 β€’ 15:41 UTC πŸ‡«πŸ‡· France France24

Paris cyber crime unit raids X offices, concerned by deepfakes and child safeguarding online

The Paris cyber crime unit has conducted a raid on X's offices amid concerns over deepfakes and child protection issues online.

The Paris prosecuter's cyber crime unit has initiated a significant investigation into X, previously known as Twitter, leading to a raid at its offices. The focus of this investigation is on a variety of serious allegations, including the dissemination of deepfake technology and child pornography, which have raised alarm within French authorities. This action reflects a growing concern regarding the safety and security standards of social media platforms regarding preventing harmful content and ensuring the safeguarding of vulnerable groups online.

In conjunction with the raid, officials have summoned high-profile executives including Elon Musk and X's current CEO for what has been described as 'voluntary interviews', scheduled for April 20th. This move suggests that the French authorities are taking a proactive stance against potential infractions of digital safety laws, aiming to hold social media companies accountable for the content circulating on their platforms. The French government's aggressive approach underscores its commitment to serious issues about online conduct and digital media ethics.

Experts, including Jean Cattan from the Future of Technology Institute, have commented on France's hardline stance towards social media companies. They indicate that there is mounting pressure from the public and international watchdogs for stricter regulations to combat the misuse of technology, especially deepfakes, which can have devastating effects on individuals’ reputations and the safety of children online. This situation reflects a broader global trend where governments are increasingly scrutinizing digital platforms to protect citizens from emerging online risks, signaling a pivotal moment for regulatory reforms in the digital realm in France and beyond.

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