The Commission attacks X – Virkkunen: “A completely reprehensible form of denigration”

Many authorities in EU countries have reported that the Grok used in X has been used for unwanted “undressing” of women, i.e. sexualized, manipulated images created by artificial intelligence.

Relatedly, the Commission announced on Wednesday that it had launched a new formal investigation against X under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The purpose of the investigation is to assess whether X has properly assessed and mitigated the risks related to the implementation of Grok’s operations in X in the EU. The investigation covers the risks associated with the spread of illegal content, such as manipulated images of sexual content, including content that may meet the hallmarks of child sexual abuse.

The Commission suspects that the risks have materialized and exposed EU citizens to serious harm.

“Unwanted sexual deep-faking of women and children is a violent, completely reprehensible form of humiliation. Through the investigation, we will find out whether X has complied with its legal obligations under the DSA, or whether it has harmed the rights of European women and children,” says the Commission’s senior vice-president for digital sovereignty, security and democracy Henna Virkkunen.

The investigation is being expanded

The Commission is also expanding the already ongoing investigation, which started in December 2023. It is about X’s compliance with its obligations in the risk management of referral systems. The Commission wishes to assess whether X has properly assessed and mitigated all systemic risks identified by DSA related to its referral systems, including the transition to a Grok-based referral system.

According to the Commission, X should, under the DSA, assess and mitigate systemic risks, such as the spread of illegal content, harms related to gender-based violence, and serious adverse effects on physical and psychological well-being, related to the implementation of Grok’s functions on the platform.

In addition, X must prepare and submit to the commission a risk assessment report on Grok’s activities in the X service, if they have a significant impact on X’s risk profile.

The Commission intends to conduct a thorough investigation as a matter of urgency and continue to gather evidence, for example by sending requests for additional information, conducting interviews or inspections. In addition, the commission can order temporary measures if the necessary changes are not made to the X service.

If found to be true, the breaches would constitute breaches of Articles 34, 35 and 42 of the DSA.

According to the Commission, the opening of the official procedure does not predict its outcome.