Social media EU investigates Musk's X over sexualized AI images
Following the scandal surrounding sexualized AI images from Elon Musk's chatbot Grok, the EU Commission is initiating proceedings against the US company X. The Brussels authority suspects that the company did not properly assess the risks when introducing its AI.
26.01.2026, 13:42
SDA
X has come under fire in recent weeks because all users were initially able to ask the AI chatbot Grok to sexualize posted images. People repeatedly ordered the AI to manipulate photos and dress women in bikinis, for example.
On New Year's Eve, Grok apologized for creating and sharing a picture of two teenage girls "in sexualized outfits". According to the EU Commission, the investigation is therefore also concerned with images that could be considered child abuse. In the summer, Grok had already shocked the public by praising Adolf Hitler.
Renewed tensions between the EU and the USA?
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would not hand over responsibility for consensus and child protection to tech companies. "In Europe, we will not tolerate unimaginable behavior such as the digital undressing of women and children," added the German politician.
Following the de-escalation in the Greenland conflict, the Brussels authority is accepting the risk of angering Donald Trump's US government once again with this step. In view of the investigations, some of which have been ongoing for years - including against X - critics have long accused the EU of not enforcing its digital rules consistently enough.
Several investigations are already underway against Musk's online platform on the basis of European digital laws - for example due to the moderation and risk management of illegal content. It was only at the beginning of December that the EU imposed a fine of 120 million euros on X for lack of transparency.
US government last threatened the EU Commission
Washington reacted sharply at the time, speaking of censorship and imposing entry bans on one of the architects of the digital laws as well as other Europeans. The strong reaction could also be interpreted as a threat to Brussels not to take any further measures against the US tech giants.
Foreign Minister Marco Rubio wrote on X to justify the entry bans that American platforms were being targeted. He added that they were prepared to expand the list if there was no course correction. Elon Musk himself spoke out in favor of abolishing the EU.
Why the EU Commission does not want to block Grok
According to the announcement, the proceedings that have now been opened focus on whether X has sufficiently reduced the risk of "gender-based violence and serious negative consequences for physical and mental well-being". In addition to the new investigation, the internet watchdogs in Brussels also announced that they would extend an investigation that has been ongoing since the end of 2023.
However, they initially refrained from fining or blocking the service: a spokesperson for the Brussels authority had said in the past that deactivating Grok in the EU was not the aim of the EU Commission and was more of a last resort. Indonesia and Malaysia were the first countries in the world to temporarily block Grok in mid-January.
The initiation of proceedings on the basis of the Digital Services Act (DSA) does not yet constitute proof of an infringement. However, if X does not give in or provide exonerating evidence, the European Commission could impose penalties. It monitors compliance with digital rules in the EU. It remains to be seen how long the proceedings will take.
