European Union launches inquiry into X over AI-generated child abuse material and explicit images
The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform X, amid allegations that its AI chatbot Grok generated millions of sexually explicit images in under two weeks, including thousands that appeared to depict children. The inquiry extends to X's recommender systems, which help users discover new content.
Grok, the AI chatbot, sparked international outrage after allowing users to digitally strip women and children from revealing poses. Researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that Grok generated around 3 million sexualized images in less than two weeks, including 23,000 that appeared to depict children. The commission is assessing whether X properly mitigated risks stemming from Grok's functionalities in the EU.
The investigation is being launched under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), a relatively new piece of legislation aimed at protecting internet users from various harms. Commission officials expressed concerns over X's measures to remedy the issue, stating that they did not effectively address broader systemic risks of generating illegal content, including content depicting violence against women and child sexual abuse material.
The commission's investigation comes as the UK media watchdog Ofcom announced its own probe into "vile" and illegal content on X. EU officials have faced criticism for being slow in enforcing the DSA, particularly in relation to X.
In response to the investigation, X stated that it remains committed to making the platform safe for everyone and has zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content. The company was recently fined €120m by the EU regulator for breaking EU law, including deceiving users, obstructing researchers, and evading accountability.
X's CEO Elon Musk responded negatively to the fine, calling it "bullshit" and urging the EU to be abolished. The commission is confident that the penalty will be paid within three months.
The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform X, amid allegations that its AI chatbot Grok generated millions of sexually explicit images in under two weeks, including thousands that appeared to depict children. The inquiry extends to X's recommender systems, which help users discover new content.
Grok, the AI chatbot, sparked international outrage after allowing users to digitally strip women and children from revealing poses. Researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that Grok generated around 3 million sexualized images in less than two weeks, including 23,000 that appeared to depict children. The commission is assessing whether X properly mitigated risks stemming from Grok's functionalities in the EU.
The investigation is being launched under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), a relatively new piece of legislation aimed at protecting internet users from various harms. Commission officials expressed concerns over X's measures to remedy the issue, stating that they did not effectively address broader systemic risks of generating illegal content, including content depicting violence against women and child sexual abuse material.
The commission's investigation comes as the UK media watchdog Ofcom announced its own probe into "vile" and illegal content on X. EU officials have faced criticism for being slow in enforcing the DSA, particularly in relation to X.
In response to the investigation, X stated that it remains committed to making the platform safe for everyone and has zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content. The company was recently fined €120m by the EU regulator for breaking EU law, including deceiving users, obstructing researchers, and evading accountability.
X's CEO Elon Musk responded negatively to the fine, calling it "bullshit" and urging the EU to be abolished. The commission is confident that the penalty will be paid within three months.
. I mean, sure Grok made some bad choices, but Elon Musk is trying to push the boundaries of AI tech, right? It's not like he's intentionally trying to create child abuse material 
. And those 3 million images were probably just a result of some messed up code, not a deliberate attempt to offend or harm anyone.
. Instead of fining companies and launching investigations, they should be investing in AI research and development that can help prevent these kinds of problems from arising.
It seems like a double standard to me.
. Can't we just have a nuanced conversation about AI and its potential risks and benefits? 
X needs to step up its game on AI safety or get booted outta the EU 
this is crazy!!! AI gotta be so careful 
, these new techs can create super bad stuff 
. Can't let it spread 
and hurt people 
. EU should take this seriously 
and make sure platforms like X are held accountable 
. They gotta do better 
, not just slap a fine on them 
. People's safety is the priority 
!
I'm really shocked about what happened on X with their AI chatbot Grok... I mean, who would've thought that something like this could happen? 
. And 3 million images in under two weeks?! That's just crazy 
. I think the EU needs to step up their game when it comes to regulating these platforms, especially with this new Digital Services Act 
. X has already been fined €120m and this investigation could be a major blow... hopefully they'll learn from this and become more transparent about how they handle sensitive issues 
.