Musk’s X probed by Irish data watchdog over Grok sexual images

By Olivia Fletcher, Bloomberg

Ireland’s data protection watchdog has launched an investigation into X over concerns about sexualized images created and published using the Grok AI chatbot.

The probe will determine whether billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform has complied with its obligations regarding the processing of European Union users’ personal data, according to a statement by the Dublin-based Data Protection Commission on Tuesday. The investigation has been initiated under the Data Protection Act.

It follows the January announcement by the European Commission to investigate X over concerns it failed to prevent Grok from spewing out deepfake images “that may amount to child sexual abuse material.”

There has been political and public outrage in recent months after X users have increasingly prompted Grok to alter pictures people post of themselves, without their consent, including by undressing them.

It has lead to widespread condemnation of Grok and increased regulatory scrutiny. Users in several jurisdictions flagged the AI chatbot for generating sexualized imagery and posting it to X. Rebukes came from regulators and child safety advocates, including the UK communications regulator Ofcom.

The DPC has been engaging with X since media reports first emerged about the alleged ability for users to generate sexualized images of real people, including children, Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said. The watchdog has commenced a “large-scale inquiry” to examine the platforms compliance with “fundamental obligations under the GDPR,” he added.

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