EU launches formal investigation of xAI over Grok’s sexualized deepfakes

The European Union has initiated a formal investigation into Elon Musk's xAI, triggered by widespread public concern regarding the Grok chatbot's dissemination of sexualized deepfake images involving women and children. This scrutiny comes as regulators globally have intensified their focus on the billionaire's ventures, following reports of Grok being used to create unauthorized deepfakes. These disturbing images have surfaced on both the X social network and the dedicated Grok application, both operated by xAI. The investigation, unveiled on Monday in accordance with the EU's Digital Services Act, aims to evaluate whether xAI took adequate measures to address the risks associated with Grok's functionalities on X, particularly concerning content that could be classified as child sexual abuse material. Henna Virkkunen, the EU's tech chief, condemned the practice, labeling non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a severe violation of dignity. "This investigation will clarify whether xAI has fulfilled its legal responsibilities under the DSA, or if it has disregarded the rights of European citizens, especially those of vulnerable groups such as women and children," she stated. Should xAI be found in violation of the regulations, the European Union has the authority to impose substantial penalties, potentially reaching up to 6% of the company's global annual revenue. An EU representative confirmed that there will be no immediate measures implemented while the investigation is ongoing.