EU launches investigation into X over Grok deepfake images
The European Commission has opened a new investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, focusing on whether its AI chatbot Grok helped to spread sexualised images of real people, including children.
The move follows growing concern across Europe after Grok, developed by Musk’s AI company xAI, came under fire after users discovered it could digitally alter photos to undress people or place them in revealing outfits. Researchers warned that some generated images appeared to involve minors. The backlash led several countries to issue warnings or temporary bans, and regulators in the UK, Australia, France, Germany, India, and Malaysia are also examining the tool. Regulators say they are now checking whether X failed to properly assess and reduce the risks linked to rolling out the tool inside the EU, as required under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
In a statement, the Commission said the investigation will look at whether X did enough to prevent the spread of illegal material such as “manipulated sexually explicit images,” including content that “may amount to child sexual abuse material.” It added that these risks appear to have “materialised,” exposing users to “serious harm.”
Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, described the images as a “violent, unacceptable form of degradation.” She said: “With this investigation, we will determine whether X has met its legal obligations under the DSA, or whether it treated rights of European citizens - including those of women and children - as collateral damage of its service.”
X has said it has taken steps to limit abuse. Earlier this month, the company said it stopped Grok from editing images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis in places where that content is illegal, and restricted some features to paid users. An X spokesperson has said the platform has “zero tolerance” for child sexual exploitation, nonconsensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content.
The Commission is also expanding a separate, ongoing investigation into X’s recommendation system, especially after the company announced it would rely on Grok to help decide which posts users see. That investigation began in 2023 and had already resulted in a €120m fine in December over issues including misleading blue checkmarks.
If X is found to have breached the DSA again, the Commission could impose changes to how the platform operates or fine the company up to 6% of its global annual turnover. EU officials have warned that no company operating in the bloc is exempt from its digital rules, regardless of size or influence.
Musk has previously dismissed criticism of Grok’s image tools as “any excuse for censorship” and recently reposted comments from US officials accusing the EU of targeting American tech firms. Still, Brussels says its focus is on protecting users as powerful AI tools are rolled out at scale.
