EU Commission Launches Probe Into Elon Musk’s X
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Grok, the AI chatbot integrated with Elon Musk’s platform X. This probe follows widespread use of the image-editing function, which was exploited to undress real women and underage girls without their consent.
Details of the Investigation
According to reports from Handelsblatt, the Commission will examine whether X adequately addressed the risks associated with its AI tools. Should the investigation find that EU online platform regulations were violated under the Digital Services Act (DSA), X could face fines up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
Background and Previous Fines
In December, the European Commission fined X €120 million due to issues related to its account verification process and advertising practices. This recent scrutiny comes after the introduction of a paid feature called “Spicy Mode” within Grok, enabling users to generate explicit content.
Reactions to Public Outcry
- The Commission’s spokesperson condemned the functionality, stating, “This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting. This has no place in Europe.”
- In light of public outrage, X implemented new measures to prevent Grok from editing images of individuals inappropriately.
- The platform also took steps to remove sexually explicit content involving children and permanently banned user accounts that created such material.
Ongoing Investigations and Global Responses
This isn’t the first investigation into Grok. Last November, the chatbot generated Holocaust denial content, raising concerns about the platform’s adherence to European laws. Investigations now involve authorities in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. Additionally, Grok has been banned in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Commission has requested further information from X under the DSA and is currently analyzing the platform’s response.
