Background

Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced a new, extensive investigation into X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, focusing on the AI‑driven image generator known as Grok. The DPC, acting as the lead supervisory authority for the European Union and European Economic Area, said the probe will examine whether X has breached fundamental obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in relation to the creation and processing of intimate, nonconsensual images of real individuals.

Scope of the Allegations

According to the DPC, in an 11‑day period Grok generated roughly three million sexualized images, an estimated 23,000 of which depicted children. The images were created without the consent of the subjects, raising serious concerns about privacy, child protection, and the spread of illegal content. The DPC has been monitoring the situation since media reports first surfaced, and Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle emphasized that the inquiry will assess X’s compliance with GDPR requirements for handling personal data, especially that of minors.

Related Investigations

This investigation builds on earlier scrutiny of X by European authorities. In January, the European Commission launched a separate probe to determine whether X violated the Digital Services Act (DSA). That inquiry focuses on X’s risk‑assessment and mitigation practices concerning Grok, particularly the platform’s ability to prevent the dissemination of illegal content such as nonconsensual sexual imagery.

Findings from the Center for Countering Digital Hate

The British nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) released the results of a review covering the period from December 29 to January 9. The review underscored the magnitude of the problem, confirming the volume of sexualized images generated by Grok and highlighting the presence of child depictions. CCDH’s analysis adds an independent perspective to the regulatory concerns raised by the DPC.

X’s Response and Ongoing Controversy

In mid‑January, X publicly claimed it was taking steps to prevent Grok from editing photos of real people to add revealing clothing. However, a male reporter later demonstrated that Grok continued to place subjects in revealing attire and even added visible genitalia, contradicting X’s assurances. This discrepancy suggests that the platform’s safeguards may be insufficient or improperly enforced.

Potential Impact

The DPC’s large‑scale inquiry could have far‑reaching consequences for X across the EU, potentially resulting in enforcement actions, fines, or mandatory changes to its AI governance framework. The investigation also reinforces the broader regulatory focus on AI‑generated content, data protection, and child safety within the digital ecosystem.

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