Ireland has opened an investigation into Grok, the AI chatbot linked to Elon Musk’s X, over concerns about sexualised content and how users’ personal data is being processed.
The country’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) said on Tuesday that it had formally notified X of the probe on Monday.
The investigation will examine whether X complied with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in relation to personal data processed through Grok.
Ireland’s DPC is X’s lead EU regulator because the company’s European operations are based in Ireland. Under GDPR, the watchdog can impose fines of up to 4% of a company’s global annual revenue.
The probe follows public outrage after Grok was reportedly used last month to generate AI-altered sexualised images of real people, including content involving children.
“The DPC has been engaging with XIUC (X Internet Unlimited Company) since media reports first emerged a number of weeks ago concerning the alleged ability of X users to prompt the @Grok account on X to generate sexualised images of real people, including children,” Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said.
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He added that the agency has launched a “large-scale inquiry” to examine X’s compliance with its “fundamental obligations under the GDPR”.
The development adds to growing regulatory pressure on X and other major platforms across Europe.
The European Commission opened a separate investigation on January 26 into whether Grok is spreading illegal content, including manipulated sexualised images, within the EU.
Britain’s privacy watchdog also launched a formal probe on February 3 over Grok’s handling of personal data and its ability to produce harmful sexualised image and video content.
In a related development, Spain has also opened a probe into Meta, X and TikTok over allegations that the platforms are being used to spread AI-generated child sexual abuse content.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the move on Tuesday, saying prosecutors have been instructed to investigate the companies over the creation and distribution of illegal material involving minors.
“These platforms are undermining the mental health, dignity, and rights of our children,” Sánchez wrote on X.