Irish Regulator Intensifies Scrutiny of X’s AI Data Practices
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched a formal inquiry into Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s X platform, over concerns about its use of personal data for model training.
Key Developments:
- Legal Action History: The DPC previously initiated court proceedings against X in 2023 after the platform automatically opted users into AI data training without explicit consent—a move deemed a violation of EU privacy laws.
- X’s Temporary Compliance: Following backlash, X paused data processing for EU users, allowing Grok’s later release in the region.
- Ongoing Investigation: The DPC’s new probe will assess whether X complies with GDPR transparency and lawfulness requirements in its AI data usage.
Broader AI Regulatory Crackdown in Europe
- Meta Under Watch: The DPC is also examining WhatsApp’s Meta AI over similar privacy concerns.
- Delayed EU Rollouts: Companies like Google, Meta, and X have faced regulatory hurdles, delaying AI feature launches in Europe.
- Potential Penalties: If found guilty of GDPR violations, X could face a fine of up to €20 million or 4% of global revenue—whichever is higher.
The case highlights growing tensions between AI innovation and EU data protection laws, setting a precedent for how tech giants must handle user data in AI development.