DOJ won’t contribute to France’s probe of Musk’s X: Report

April 18, 2026 - 20:44

The U.S. Department of Justice has formally notified French officials that it will not participate in or provide assistance for their ongoing probe into the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk. This decision effectively limits the scope of the French investigation, which is examining the platform's content moderation practices and compliance with European Union digital regulations.

The French inquiry is understood to be focused on allegations surrounding the dissemination of content deemed illegal under French and EU law. By declining to collaborate, the DOJ has halted a potential cross-border exchange of information that French authorities were seeking. Legal experts note that such decisions are often rooted in complexities of jurisdiction and differing national laws regarding data privacy and free speech protections.

The move underscores the growing international tensions surrounding the governance of global social media platforms. It highlights the challenges regulators face when attempting to oversee companies that operate across numerous legal jurisdictions. The platform, X, has faced increased scrutiny in Europe since the enactment of the Digital Services Act, which imposes strict new rules on very large online platforms to combat illegal content and disinformation. The French investigation is expected to continue using other available legal avenues within the European Union.