PARIS:ElonMusk`sXonMondayaccusedFrenchprosecutors of launching a `politically-motivated criminal investigation` that threatens its users` free speech, denying all allegations against it and saying it would not cooperate with the probe.

Earlier this month, Paris prosecutors stepped up a preliminary probe into the social media platform for suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction, authorising police to conduct searches, wiretaps and surveillance against Musk and X executives, or summon them to testify. If they do not comply, a judge could issue an arrest warrant.

`Based on what we know so far, X believes that this investigation is distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech,` the social network said.

`For these reasons, X has not acceded to the French authorities` demands, as we have a legal right to do.` It was not immediately clear what sort of request prosecutors had sent to X, but failure to comply with a judicial request can range from a fine to obstruction of justice charges. X said the probe had been instigated by Eric Bothorel, a French lawmaker, who had accused X of `manipulating its algorithm for `foreign interference` purposes`, an allegation it said was `completely false`.

-Reuters