Investigation Launched into Elon Musk’s X Company for Deepfake Concerns
Regulators from the European Union have initiated a new inquiry into Elon Musk’s X company. The focus is on the AI chatbot Grok, as there are worries it might be creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfake images, including those involving children.
The European Commission has stated that the investigation will assess whether X adequately evaluated and addressed the risks associated with deploying Grok across the EU’s 27 member states. This includes looking into the potential dissemination of illegal content like altered sexually explicit images. The investigation is part of the EU’s stringent Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that online platforms actively manage harmful content as defined by governmental standards.
Grok is under scrutiny for reportedly generating non-consensual sexual images involving minors that depict child sexual abuse. In a post on X, Grok acknowledged the creation of such an image, noting that the “safeguards against it are gone,” according to reports.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Hena Virkunen, responsible for DSA enforcement, expressed strong concerns. She called the generation of sexual deepfakes involving women and children a violent and intolerable form of degradation. The investigation will determine if X has met its legal responsibilities under the DSA or if it has disregarded the rights of European citizens—particularly vulnerable groups like women and children.
The DSA, effective since 2023, empowers Brussels to regulate online platforms significantly. Companies failing to control illegal content, address disinformation, or adhere to transparency regulations could face fines up to 6% of their global annual revenue.
This latest investigation comes shortly after the EU imposed a $140 million fine on X for a previous violation of the DSA, where the platform was accused of misleading users about its paid Blue Check verification system and not granting researchers proper access to data.
The upcoming fines have sparked sharp criticism from U.S. officials, arguing that the EU’s actions constitute an infringement on free expression and a targeted attack against U.S. tech companies.
Vice President J.D. Vance remarked that the EU should be promoting free speech rather than penalizing American enterprises over trivial issues.
In the UK, the media regulator Ofcom has already launched an official investigation into whether X has violated online safety laws by permitting AI to circulate sexual images. Similar allegations have emerged from authorities in France and India regarding Grok’s unauthorized creation of sexual imagery involving individuals.
Sarah B. Rogers from the U.S. State Department commented that there would be “nothing wrong” if the UK proceeded with a ban on significant social media platforms.
X has previously defended its moderation practices, asserting a “zero tolerance” policy towards any forms of child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, or unwanted sexual content.
When approached for comment, a representative from X described the claims as lies propagated by legacy media.
