Mon, 26 Jan 2026

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 EU investigates Elon Musk's X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes

The Commission will assess whether "manipulated sexually explicit images" have been shown to users in the EU.
The European Commission has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X, citing concerns that its AI tool Grok was used to create sexually explicit images of real people. The Commission could fine X up to 6% of its global annual turnover if it breaches EU rules under the Digital Services Act. Regina Doherty, a European parliament member, said the investigation will assess whether manipulated sexually explicit images were shown to users in the EU. Campaigners and victims condemned the ability to generate such pictures using Grok. The Commission has also extended an ongoing investigation into X's recommender systems and may impose interim measures if adjustments are not made. The regulator stated that it would determine whether X met its legal obligations under the DSA or treated European citizens' rights as collateral damage. The move comes after Ofcom launched a similar investigation in January, with other countries such as Australia, France, and Germany also investigating the platform's chatbot. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President at the Commission, called sexual deepfakes "a violent, unacceptable form of degradation". Doherty said there were "serious questions" over whether platforms like X meet legal obligations to prevent illegal content. Andrea Simon from End Violence Against Women Coalition stated that accountability should not stop with X removing content and emphasized the need for tech platforms to be held accountable.
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