France accuses Musk of harassing European leaders online

France's top diplomat levelled the accusation against the billionaire Tesla and X owner while warning of risks to democratic processes in the country. The comments underscore growing tensions between European governments and Musk over his activities on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, which he acquired in 2022.

Barrot's remarks highlight European concerns about the influence wielded by wealthy individuals over online discourse and its potential impact on electoral integrity. The warning comes amid broader anxiety across Europe about how social media platforms could be weaponised to shape political outcomes, particularly in the lead-up to major elections.

The accusation adds to a series of disputes between Musk and European officials in recent months. France and other European nations have sought to assert regulatory authority over major tech platforms operating within their borders, seeking to establish rules governing content moderation and political advertising.

Musk has frequently engaged in public disputes with world leaders and government officials via X, using the platform to comment on political developments and criticise policies. The French government's focus on potential electoral interference reflects broader concerns among democracies about safeguarding elections from external manipulation or destabilisation tactics in the digital age.