The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into X, a subsidiary of X Corp, focusing on the AI chatbot Grok’s controversial image-editing feature. This function has reportedly been used to create explicit content featuring the images of real women and underage girls without their consent. The investigation was first reported by the German newspaper Handelsblatt on March 11, 2024.
The probe centers on Grok’s “Spicy Mode,” a paid feature that allows users to generate explicit images. Following public outcry last summer regarding the misuse of this feature, X implemented measures to restrict the editing of images depicting real people in revealing clothing. The company has also taken steps to remove sexualized images of children altered by Grok and has suspended accounts responsible for such content.
Under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the Commission has requested information from X regarding its handling of these issues. If X is found to have breached EU regulations, it could face fines amounting to as much as 6% of its global annual revenue.
X’s Safety account has stated its commitment to combating illegal content on the platform, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The account emphasized efforts to remove such content, suspend offending accounts, and cooperate with local law enforcement and governments as necessary.
The investigation is particularly significant as it follows similar actions taken by Malaysia and Indonesia, which recently blocked access to Grok after discovering its potential for generating nonconsensual explicit content. Both countries cited “repeated failures by X Corp” to adequately address related risks, leading to the bans. The international backlash against Grok intensified when French authorities announced their own investigation into the matter.
### Political Context and Delays
The European Commission’s decision to investigate Grok was reportedly delayed due to concerns about potential backlash from political figures in the United States. Donald Trump, the former President, had previously criticized the DSA for allegedly targeting American technology companies. Following his threats of imposing additional tariffs and prior criticisms of EU regulations, the Commission postponed legal action that was initially scheduled to begin on March 4, 2024.
In a related development, JD Vance, the Vice President, has publicly condemned the EU’s intentions to fine X, labeling the actions as censorship against American firms. This criticism further complicates the regulatory landscape for X and its operations in Europe.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for both X and the broader tech industry will likely be closely monitored, particularly regarding how companies manage user-generated content and the associated risks of AI technologies.
