France has spent 18 months intensifying legal pressure on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, while today formally declining to authorise Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. The decision stands in contrast to the more open approach taken by several other European countries, including Greece.
The case began in January 2025 with a complaint from Éric Bothorel, a Member of Parliament from President Emmanuel Macron’s party who had publicly criticised Musk since 2022. By July 2025, French prosecutors classified X as operating “as part of an organised gang,” unlocking expanded powers including search, wiretap and surveillance authority against the company and its executives.’
Prosecutors demanded access to X’s recommendation algorithm. X refused, citing legal rights. One of the two experts appointed to analyse the data was David Chavalarias, director of the Paris Complex Systems Institute, who runs a public campaign called “Escape X” and co-authored a 2023 paper concluding that X’s algorithm amplifies toxic content. X argued that his appointment raised serious questions about impartiality.
The US State Department condemned the investigation, describing the prosecutor as an activist and pledging to defend against foreign censorship. On 3 February, prosecutors — accompanied by Europol — raided X’s Paris offices. The case had by then expanded to include Grok-generated imagery. X called the action “law enforcement theater,” while Elon Musk described it as a political attack. Both categorically deny the allegations.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced today that the safety trade-offs are not yet sufficient to authorise Tesla’s FSD system. He cited two reasons: the system allows speeding, and in the ministry’s interpretation of the data it does not guarantee optimal driver attention in urban settings, during lane changes, at intersections or roundabouts. No supporting figures were provided.
In contrast, the Dutch RDW — the regulator that tested and approved the system — stated that it is safer than other driver-assistance systems. Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania have already accepted that finding and granted provisional approval.
Tabarot emphasised French industrial interests, saying: “We have real cards to play, and we’re ready to play them.” He plans to convene the French autonomous-vehicle ecosystem this autumn. Talks with the Netherlands and Tesla continue.
Greece’s Different Approach
Greece is moving in the opposite direction. The Greek transport ministry has indicated it is considering approving Tesla’s supervised FSD technology and has announced plans to bring forward legislation that would authorise the system on Greek roads by recognising the Dutch RDW certification. This places Greece among a growing group of EU member states progressing more quickly toward enabling the technology.
While France continues dual pressure on both X and Tesla, Greece appears focused on practical regulatory steps for autonomous driving systems.