The EU is investigating Grok and X over potentially illegal deepfakes

The European Union is investigating Elon Musk's platform X (formerly known as Twitter) for failing to take action against the spread of AI-generated sexually explicit images, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation will assess whether X has met its legal obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and whether it treated the rights of European citizens, including women and children, as collateral damage. The EU will also investigate the deployment of the AI system Grok onto the platform, as it appears to have led to the dissemination of manipulated sexually explicit images, exposing EU citizens to serious harm. The Commission is expanding its 2023 investigation of X's recommendation algorithm and tools used to prevent the spread of illicit content. The investigation comes at a delicate time for the EU, as it faces backlash from the Trump administration over its scrutiny of American tech companies. Musk, the owner of X, has been critical of the EU, calling it the "fourth Reich" and suggesting it should be "abolished." In response, X has reiterated its commitment to making the platform safe for everyone and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for child sexual exploitation, nonconsensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content.