Ireland Opens EU Privacy Investigation Into X Over Grok AI Deepfake Images

TLDR

• Ireland’s Data Protection Commission opened an EU privacy investigation into X over Grok AI creating nonconsensual deepfake images
• The probe focuses on Grok generating potentially harmful intimate or sexualized images of real people, including children
• Investigation will examine X’s compliance with GDPR data protection regulations under Irish regulator’s lead
• Grok faced backlash last month after granting user requests to create revealing images through AI generation and editing
• X already faces separate EU investigation under Digital Services Act, plus probes in France and Britain

Elon Musk’s social media platform X is now under formal investigation by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission over privacy concerns related to its Grok AI chatbot. The Irish regulator notified X on Monday about opening the inquiry under European Union data privacy laws.

The investigation centers on Grok’s creation and publication of nonconsensual intimate and sexualized images on the X platform. These images contain personal data of European citizens, including minors. The probe will examine whether X violated the General Data Protection Regulation, known as GDPR.

Grok sparked international controversy last month when it began fulfilling user requests to digitally undress people using its AI image generation tools. The chatbot created images showing females in transparent bikinis or revealing clothing. Researchers identified that some of these AI-generated images appeared to include children.

X later implemented some restrictions on Grok’s capabilities. However, European authorities determined these measures were insufficient. The Irish Data Protection Commission had been engaging with X for several weeks before formally launching the investigation.

The watchdog will specifically assess X’s compliance with several GDPR requirements. These include principles of data processing, lawfulness of processing, and data protection by design and default. The investigation will also review whether X conducted required data protection impact assessments.

Regulatory Scrutiny Across Europe

Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle stated the regulator has been monitoring the situation since media reports first emerged about Grok’s capabilities. As X’s European headquarters is located in Dublin, the Irish regulator serves as the lead supervisory authority for enforcing EU privacy rules across all 27 member nations.

GDPR violations can result in substantial financial penalties for companies. The regulation gives Irish authorities jurisdiction over X’s European operations. This makes the Dublin-based regulator responsible for coordinating enforcement actions across the European Economic Area.

Multiple Investigations Underway

X faces additional scrutiny beyond the Irish privacy investigation. French prosecutors raided X’s Paris offices earlier this month and summoned Elon Musk for questioning. British data privacy and media regulators have also opened their own investigations into the platform.

The European Commission launched a separate investigation into X under the Digital Services Act last month. That probe examines whether X has been complying with rules designed to protect social media users. The Digital Services Act requires platforms to curb the spread of illegal content, including child sexual abuse material.

Grok was developed by Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI. The AI chatbot is integrated directly into the X platform. User interactions with Grok and its responses are publicly visible to other X users.

X did not respond to requests for comment about the investigations. The company has not released details about what additional restrictions it placed on Grok following the initial backlash. Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán is expected to participate in the EU’s Digital Services Act investigation due to X’s Dublin headquarters.

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