The algorithm used by X/Twitter to recommend content to users of the social network is once again at the center of a controversy. The Paris prosecutor's office has taken up the problem reported by MP Eric Bothorel on January 12. The latter has contacted the cybercrime section (J3) of the Paris prosecutor's office.
The algorithm at the heart of all suspicions
The MP Ensemble pour la République has seen "several publications that mention "the authors of the distorted operation of the recommendation algorithm of [automated data processing system] of the X network"", which prompted the referral to the J3 section. "The magistrates and specialized assistants of the cybercrime section seized analyze [the algorithms] and carry out the first technical checks," the Paris prosecutor's office told Franceinfo.
There are strong suspicions about the changes regularly made to Twitter's algorithm, which could favor certain user profiles and expose their tweets more. Elon Musk would benefit very directly from this, but also his far-right political allies. This visibility can be particularly problematic, especially during election periods, as is currently the case in Germany. The billionaire, a vocal supporter of the AfD, could be tempted to abuse his power to multiply the impressions of messages posted by this party, rather than another.
This investigation could take several months, and it is continuing in parallel with another one conducted this time on a European scale. Twitter is indeed one of the very large platforms regulated by the DSA which demands, among other things, transparency on algorithms.
Source: Franceinfo
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