Spain Launches Probe into X, Meta, TikTok Over AI Child Sexual Abuse Content
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Spain has ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok. The investigation focuses on the alleged spread of artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse material. This action comes as European regulators increase scrutiny of big tech concerning harmful and illegal online content.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced this move amid a broader crackdown on online platforms. Regulators accuse these platforms of various issues, from anti-competitive behaviour in digital advertising to deliberately designing addictive features.
TikTok stated that child sexual abuse material is abhorrent and strictly prohibited on its platform. A company spokesperson noted TikTok employs robust systems to prevent exploitation or harm of young people, continuing investment in advanced technologies to counter malicious actors.
The Spanish government's action is the first of several social media regulations Prime Minister Sanchez previously unveiled. This initiative followed a technical report from three ministries, with Government spokesperson Elma Saiz stating authorities cannot permit algorithms to amplify or shelter such crimes, thereby risking children's safety, privacy, and dignity.
Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) has opened a formal investigation into X's xAI chatbot, Grok. This probe concerns the processing of personal data, its potential to generate harmful sexualised images and video, including of children, and the DPC serves as X's lead European Union regulator due to the United States company’s EU operations being based in Ireland.
Prime Minister Sanchez's office cited rights group Save the Children, reporting one in five young people in Spain, mostly girls, had fake nude AI images created and shared online while they were minors. Sanchez stated on X that these platforms undermine children's mental health, dignity, and rights, adding that the state cannot allow this impunity to continue.
Sanchez specified that the Justice Ministry would ask prosecutors to investigate crimes X, Meta, and TikTok may be committing. These potential crimes relate to the creation and dissemination of child pornography using their artificial intelligence.
Spain is not the only nation increasing scrutiny of social media platforms. Other governments have initiated investigations, imposed bans, and sought safeguards as part of a broadening global effort to curb illegal material.
The European Commission is investigating Meta, TikTok, and Grok under the European Union's Digital Services Act. France, Brazil, and Canada have also filed complaints against Grok regarding illegal content distribution.
Prime Minister Sanchez has outlined new measures to tackle online abuse and protect children, including a proposed ban on social media access for those under 16. Additionally, the Spanish parliament will investigate Meta for possible privacy violations involving Facebook and Instagram users.
French police raided the offices of X, and prosecutors ordered Chief Executive Elon Musk to face questions in a widening investigation. The Britain-based Internet Watch Foundation flagged 3,440 AI videos of child sexual abuse last year, compared with only 13 in 2024.
Spain has ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok over the alleged spread of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
This action is part of a broader European regulatory crackdown on big tech and harmful online content.
Ireland's Data Protection Commission has also launched an investigation into X's Grok chatbot regarding data processing and the generation of harmful images.
Source: REUTERS