EU investigates Elon Musk’s X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes
European Commission launched an investigation Elon Musk’s X comes amid concerns that the AI tool Grok is being used to create sexualized images of real people.
Like this: A similar announcement was made in January From UK watchdog Ofcom.
If the site is found to be in breach of the EU’s rules under the Digital Services Act, the Commission could fine the company up to 6% of its global annual turnover.
A. previous statement X’s Security account said the social media platform said Grok was preventing people from taking off their clothes by digitally altering their photos “in regions where such content is illegal.”
Regina Doherty, the member of the European Parliament representing Ireland, said the Commission would consider whether “manipulated sexually explicit images” were shown to users in the EU.
Campaigners and victims said it was possible to create sexually explicit images using the tool “it should never have happened”and Ofcom said the investigation would continue.
The EU regulator said it could “impose interim measures” if X refuses to make meaningful adjustments.
It was also stated that it expands the ongoing investigation launched in December 2023 into risks related to X’s recommendation systems (algorithm that recommends specific posts to users).
Elon Musk before the commission’s announcement Posted a picture on X It appears to shed light on the new restrictions implemented around Grok on Monday.
X’s owner has previously criticized those who review the app’s image editing function, particularly the UK government, calling it “just another excuse for censorship”.
Sunday, Grok account on X claimed More than 5.5 billion images were created by the tool in just 30 days.
Other research into the platform’s chatbot is ongoing in Australia, France and Germany.
Grok was temporarily banned in Indonesia and Malaysia, but Malaysia has now lifted the ban.
Henna Virkkunen, Commission Vice-President for Technology Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, described sexual deepfakes as “a violent, unacceptable form of humiliation”.
“Through this investigation, we will determine whether
In a statement to Reuters, Doherty said there were “serious questions” about whether platforms like X were meeting legal obligations “to properly assess risks and prevent the spread of illegal and harmful content.”
“The European Union has clear rules to protect people online,” he said.
“These rules must have practical meaning, especially when powerful technologies are applied on a large scale.
“No company operating in the EU is above the law.”
The move comes a month after the EU X fined €120m (£105m) over blue tick badgesThe company says they are “deceiving users” because they “do not meaningfully verify” who is behind the account.
In response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) accused the EU regulator of attacking and censoring US firms.
“The European Commission’s punishment is not just an attack on X, it is an attack by foreign governments on all American technology platforms and the American people,” he said.
His words were reposted by Musk, who added “absolutely.”
