The European Union is investigating Elon Musk’s X platform over concerns it spread illegal content, following reports that its Grok AI chatbot generated manipulated sexual images. The European Commission announced Monday that it will examine whether X protected users by properly assessing and managing risks connected to Grok.
The probe follows a similar investigation by the UK’s Ofcom and recent temporary bans of Grok in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia due to concerns about deepfake images. The Commission said earlier this month that AI-generated sexual images of women and children on X were illegal and condemned them as appalling.
EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen called non-consensual sexual deepfakes a violent and unacceptable form of degradation. X referred to a prior statement, saying xAI restricted image editing for Grok users and blocked certain content in countries where it’s illegal, though did not specify which countries. The Philippines and Malaysia restored access to Grok after xAI added new safety controls.
The investigation, under the EU Digital Services Act, follows Grok’s creation of sexualized images that alarmed regulators worldwide. Companies can face fines up to 6% of global turnover for violations. The Commission said changes by xAI were a positive step but do not address all problems. Officials also noted X did not perform a risk assessment before launching Grok in Europe.
The EU’s inquiry could strain relations with the US, as previous Big Tech crackdowns have led to criticism and threats of tariffs. Virkkunen said the investigation will determine if X met its legal obligations or disregarded the rights of European citizens.
European lawmaker Regina Doherty highlighted broader issues in AI regulation and enforcement, calling for real-time enforcement of EU laws in serious harm cases.
Regulators are also extending a previous investigation from December 2023, looking into whether X has managed all risks tied to its recommender systems, including the shift to a Grok-based system. X was fined 150 million euros in December for violating DSA transparency rules and may face further penalties if it does not make meaningful changes.
