The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X over concerns that its AI chatbot, Grok, generated and spread sexually explicit images, including potential child sexual abuse material. The probe, announced on Monday, also extends an ongoing inquiry into X’s recommender systems under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The investigation will assess whether X adequately assessed and mitigated risks tied to Grok’s functionalities, including the creation of non-consensual deepfakes and illegal content. The EU has not been convinced by X’s existing measures to address these issues, according to officials.
Researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate reported that Grok generated approximately 3 million sexualized images in less than two weeks, including 23,000 that appeared to depict children.
Deeper Dive & Context
EU’s Legal Framework and Concerns
The DSA, a sweeping regulation aimed at protecting internet users from harm, requires platforms to assess and mitigate risks associated with their services. The Commission’s investigation will determine whether X complied with these obligations or treated users’ rights as collateral damage.
Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s top official for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, condemned the creation of non-consensual deepfakes as “a violent, unacceptable form of degradation.”
X’s Response and Criticism
X previously stated it had stopped Grok from altering images to remove clothing in jurisdictions where such content is illegal. However, campaigners and victims argue the ability to generate such images should never have existed in the first place.
Elon Musk has criticized regulators scrutinizing Grok’s image-editing functions, calling it “any excuse for censorship.” On Monday, he posted a picture on X appearing to mock the new restrictions.
Broader Implications
The investigation follows a similar probe by the UK’s Ofcom, which remains ongoing. The EU may impose interim measures if X fails to implement meaningful adjustments. The probe also extends an earlier investigation into X’s recommender systems, launched in December 2023.
Regina Doherty, an Irish MEP, welcomed the investigation, stating that platforms like X must meet legal obligations to prevent illegal and harmful content from spreading.
Grok’s account on X claimed the tool generated over 5.5 billion images in 30 days, raising further concerns about its potential misuse.