Wednesday, February 18, 2026-Europe’s lead data regulator, the Data Protection Commission, has launched a formal investigation into X, the platform owned by Elon Musk, over concerns that its AI chatbot has generated sexualised images without consent. The probe focuses on the platform’s AI tool, Grok, and whether its image-generation capabilities may have violated the European Union’s strict data privacy framework.
The investigation is being conducted under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs how personal data is collected, processed, and protected across the EU. Regulators are examining whether adequate safeguards were in place to prevent the creation and spread of intimate or harmful AI-generated images, including those potentially involving minors. Under GDPR rules, companies found in serious breach can face fines of up to 4% of their global annual revenue.
The move underscores intensifying scrutiny of generative AI tools operating within Europe. Lawmakers and privacy advocates have raised alarm over the speed at which AI image systems can produce deepfakes and other non-consensual content, arguing that platforms must take stronger preventative measures. As regulators step up enforcement, the outcome of this probe could set a critical precedent for how AI-driven social media platforms operate within the European market.
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