The European Union has launched an investigation into X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, concerning its Grok AI chatbot. Authorities are assessing whether X adequately addressed risks associated with Grok’s generation of content that may constitute child sexual abuse material. This inquiry follows an increase in global criticism, particularly from regulators in multiple countries, after users reported Grok for producing sexualized imagery.
EU Commissioner for Technology, Henna Virkkunen, stated, “Non-consensual sexual deepfakes of women and children are a violent, unacceptable form of degradation.” The investigation falls under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates stringent measures against harmful and illegal online content.
In recent weeks, various users from different nations have raised alarms about Grok’s outputs, prompting swift backlash from child protection advocates and regulators. Following these reports, the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has initiated a formal inquiry to determine if X has violated the nation’s Online Safety Act. Additionally, authorities in France and India have accused Grok of unlawfully producing sexualized images without the consent of those depicted.
X, a subsidiary of xAI, responded by reiterating its commitment to removing illegal content, including child sexual abuse material. The platform emphasized its policy of suspending accounts and collaborating with law enforcement when necessary. “We remain committed to making X a safe platform for everyone and continue to have zero tolerance for any forms of child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content,” the company stated.
The investigation comes shortly after the EU imposed a fine of €120 million ($205 million) against X under the DSA. This penalty was issued for misleading users regarding the paid blue tick verification system, as well as for failing to provide researchers with access to critical data. The fine also raised concerns among American officials, with US Vice President JD Vance criticizing the EU for what he described as an attack on free speech and American enterprises.
The DSA, which took effect in 2023, allows the EU to impose fines of up to 6 percent of a company’s annual global revenue for neglecting to tackle illegal content and disinformation or for non-compliance with transparency requirements.
As the investigation unfolds, X faces mounting scrutiny not only from the EU but also from a growing coalition of international regulators focused on ensuring safer online environments. The outcome could have significant implications for how AI technologies are deployed on social media platforms in the future.
