Investigative media outlet Mediapart retrieved private Messenger conversations dated 2013 and attributed to Jordan Bardella by utilizing a standard data-export feature built into Meta platforms. The leaked chat logs, which contain anti-Semitic remarks, sparked an immediate political dispute after their publication on September 28, 2024, leading the National Rally president to label the documents as gross fabrications and announce upcoming legal action.
How Meta’s Data Export Feature Exposed the 2013 Messenger Logs
To acquire the archived conversations without contacting Meta directly, Mediapart journalists directed their anonymous source—the user who originally exchanged messages with the account bearing Bardella’s name—to use a built-in privacy tool within the Messenger application. European users operating under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) frameworks can request complete archives of their historical data across Meta services, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. This export functionality operates even when the corresponding account has been permanently deleted, which applies to the account named Jordan Bardella.
Because only the account holder can claim their data archives, the anonymous source downloaded the complete chat history. Mediapart subsequently had a court bailiff officially record the data extraction to certify that none of the messages had been altered.
Political Reactions and Legal Dispute Over the Authenticity of the Leaks
Jordan Bardella addressed the allegations on X, dismissing the published material as pseudo-evidence, crude fabrications, and easily manipulated screenshots. He asserted that the documents hold no validity and would fail to stand up in court. The National Rally leader announced that his attorney would file a formal complaint for forgery and the use of forged documents against Mediapart.
Mediapart responded to these denials on October 1, 2024, publishing follow-up reporting intended to validate the authenticity of the files. While the extracted chat logs feature confidential information regarding Bardella that was circulating in 2013, the technical process itself relies on an anonymous source. Consequently, it is impossible to definitively establish the identity of the individual operating the account named Jordan Bardella at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Meta Data Export Investigation
What specific steps do users follow to export their own Meta data?
Users can export their information by accessing Settings and Privacy, Settings, Account Center, Your Information and Permissions, and finally selecting Export Your Information and creating a new export file.
Can deleted accounts still provide downloadable chat histories?
Yes, Meta’s data portability features mandated by European privacy regulations allow users to retrieve historical archives associated with their profiles even after those accounts have been deleted.
What legal steps has Jordan Bardella announced in response to the publication?
Bardella stated on X that he instructed his lawyer to initiate all necessary legal proceedings against Mediapart, including filing complaints for forgery and the use of forged documents.
What remains unverified regarding the published Messenger conversations?
It cannot yet be established the exact identity of the person who controlled the account named Jordan Bardella in 2013, leaving the option for the justice system to request IP addresses from Meta to provide final clarity.
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