The European Commission has opened a new formal investigation into social media platform X under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), focusing on risks linked to the deployment of its artificial intelligence tool, Grok, within the bloc.

Regulators said the investigation will examine whether X properly assessed and mitigated risks related to the spread of illegal content following the introduction of Grok on the platform. The content under scrutiny includes manipulated sexually explicit images and material that may amount to child sexual abuse content. The Commission said these risks appear to have materialised, potentially exposing users in the EU to serious harm.

According to the Commission, the probe will assess whether X fulfilled its obligations to identify and mitigate systemic risks, including those related to illegal content, gender-based violence, and serious negative effects on users’ physical and mental well-being arising from Grok’s features.

Authorities are also reviewing whether X conducted and submitted an ad hoc risk assessment covering Grok’s impact on the platform’s overall risk profile before the tool was deployed, as required under the DSA.

In parallel, the Commission said it has expanded a separate investigation launched in December 2023 into X’s recommender systems. That inquiry is examining whether the company adequately assessed and addressed systemic risks associated with those systems, including risks linked to its shift toward a Grok-based recommender model.

If violations are confirmed, the Commission could conclude that X breached multiple provisions of the DSA related to risk assessment, mitigation measures, and reporting obligations. The Commission stressed that the opening of formal proceedings does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

The case is being carried out in cooperation with Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, which is participating as Ireland is X’s country of establishment in the EU.

“Sexual deepfakes of women and children are a violent, unacceptable form of degradation,” Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said in a statement. “With this investigation, we will determine whether X has met its legal obligations under the DSA, or whether it treated the rights of European citizens, including those of women and children, as collateral damage of its service.” (ILKHA)