EU Commission launches investigation into X over non-consensual sexual imagery

The European Commission has launched a new formal investigation into X under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to determine whether the platform has sufficiently mitigated the risks associated with its Grok AI chatbot. Specifically, this latest investigation focuses on the recent dissemination of manipulated, non-consensual sexual images and potential child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation will examine whether X fulfilled its obligations to assess systemic risks related to gender-based violence and mental well-being before deploying Grok. In addition, the Commission has extended its existing December 2023 proceedings to include X’s recently announced transition to a Grok-based recommender system.

The Commission intends to gather evidence through interviews, inspections, and information requests. If infringements are proven, the regulator may adopt non-compliance decisions or impose interim measures. This formal action centralises enforcement power at the EU level, relieving member state coordinators of their supervisory roles regarding these specific suspected violations as the priority investigation proceeds.

In an interview with Euronews, Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, clarified that online service providers "have to have practices in place to make sure illegal content is not spread online." She added that the Commission wants to understand how "X has been assessing and mitigating the risks," and that "Grok is now more and more integrated into X services, so it’s important to look at how those risks are being taken care of." 

During a European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) hearing on 26 January, Commission officials faced questions about how the investigation into X will proceed and whether apps that enable the sharing of non-consensual sexual images are allowed under current law. 

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