EU Investigates Elon Musk’s X Over Grok AI Sexual Deepfakes
The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Elon Musk’s platform, X, due to troubling reports that its AI tool, Grok, has been utilized to produce sexualized images of real individuals. This scrutiny mirrors a similar inquiry announced earlier this year by the UK’s regulatory body, Ofcom.
Key Points of the Investigation
– Potential Consequences: If the investigation finds X in violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the platform could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
– Previous Compliance: X’s Safety account previously stated that the platform had ceased the digital alteration of images to remove clothing in areas where such content is illegal.
– Regulatory Assessment: Regina Doherty, a Member of the European Parliament from Ireland, noted that the Commission will evaluate whether users in the EU were exposed to manipulated sexually explicit images.
Concerns Raised by Campaigners
– Campaigners and victims have expressed that the capability to generate sexually explicit images with Grok is deeply troubling and should never have existed.
– Ofcom has indicated that its investigation into this matter will continue alongside the EU’s efforts.
Possible Regulatory Actions
– The EU regulator has signaled it may impose interim measures should X fail to make meaningful changes.
– Additionally, the ongoing investigation that began in December 2023 regarding risks posed by X’s recommendation algorithms has been extended.
Elon Musk’s Response
Before the Commission’s announcement, Musk made light of the new restrictions on Grok by posting a related image on X. He has previously criticized scrutiny of the app’s image-editing capabilities, specifically targeting the UK government as using it as an excuse for censorship.
On Sunday, the Grok account claimed that over 5.5 billion images were generated by the tool in just 30 days.
Wider Implications of the Investigation
– International Scrutiny: Investigations into the platform’s chatbot are also ongoing in Australia, France, and Germany. Grok faced a temporary ban in Indonesia and Malaysia, though the latter has since lifted its restrictions.
– Statements from Officials: Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy at the Commission, described the sexual deepfakes as a violent, unacceptable form of degradation. She emphasized that the investigation will determine X’s compliance with legal obligations under the DSA and whether it has neglected the rights of European citizens, especially women and children.
Closing Remarks
In a statement to Reuters, Regina Doherty highlighted serious questions regarding platforms like X and their ability to meet legal standards for assessing risks and preventing the spread of illegal content. She affirmed that the European Union possesses clear rules for online protection, and these must be practically enforced, especially as powerful technologies like Grok AI are deployed at scale.
This latest move by the EU follows a considerable €120 million fine imposed on X for issues related to its blue tick verification system. Some U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have criticized the EU’s actions, framing them as attacks on American tech platforms, a sentiment echoed by Musk himself.
As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the EU’s scrutiny of Grok AI sexual deepfakes will have significant implications for content moderation and digital responsibilities in the region.