Key Takeaways
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accuses Elon Musk of orchestrating online harassment campaigns.
- Barrot speaks at an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development conference.
- The criticism comes as France prepares for its 2027 presidential election.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has accused Elon Musk of orchestrating 'massive online harassment campaigns' against European leaders, during a speech at an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference.
Barrot's comments come as the French government seeks to address foreign efforts to destabilise the country, particularly ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In his address, Barrot highlighted the role of social media in the global struggle for democracy, noting that 'forces seeking to undermine democracy now dominate the information landscape.'
He went on to say, 'where they employ tactics designed to polarise public debate.'
The criticism of Musk, who owns the social media platform X, was part of a broader discussion on the impact of social media on political stability and democratic processes.
Barrot's remarks underscore the growing concern among European leaders about the influence of social media giants in shaping public opinion and potentially influencing elections.
The French government has been increasingly vocal about the need to regulate social media platforms, citing concerns over misinformation and foreign interference.
Musk, who has previously faced criticism for his handling of content on X, has not responded directly to Barrot's accusations.
