The European Commission has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X over concerns that its AI tool Grok was misused to create sexualized images of real people.
This inquiry parallels a previous announcement from the UK's Ofcom watchdog, highlighting increasing scrutiny surrounding such technologies.
Should the platform be found in breach of the EU's Digital Services Act, it could face fines up to 6% of its global annual turnover.
Previously, a statement from X's Safety account noted that the platform had halted Grok from digitally modifying images of individuals to strip their clothing in jurisdictions where such activities are illegal.
Regina Doherty, a member of the European Parliament from Ireland, emphasized the urgency of determining whether manipulated explicit images have been disseminated to users within the EU.
As communities and activists express outrage over the capacity to generate sexually explicit content, the EU Commission may opt to impose interim measures if X fails to implement significant policy changes.
The investigation further emphasizes X's ongoing scrutiny, as the EU regulator extends its inquiry launched in December 2023, focusing on potential risks associated with X's content recommendation systems.
In the face of mounting pressure, Musk recently characterized the critique of Grok's capabilities as mere censorship, while X's Grok account claimed over 5.5 billion images were generated using the tool within a month.
'Unacceptable form of degradation'
Worldwide investigations into Grok's technology are also occurring in Australia, France, and Germany, with temporary bans imposed in Indonesia and Malaysia, although the latter has since been lifted.
Officials have condemned the creation of sexual deepfakes as a “violent, unacceptable form of degradation,” reaffirming that the rights of European citizens should never be compromised by corporate interests.
The investigation follows the EU's recent €120 million (£105 million) penalty against X for its misleading blue tick badges, raising broader concerns about accountability for tech giants.
Looming criticisms from U.S. officials indicate a perception of the EU's regulatory actions as a challenge to American tech platforms, intensifying the international dialogue surrounding the intersection of technology, privacy, and regulation.
