Spain Investigates X, Meta, and TikTok Over AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material

Spain’s government has ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok for their potential role in disseminating AI-generated child sexual abuse material, escalating a growing international concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence. The move comes amid broader scrutiny of large tech companies and their handling of harmful content.

Government Response and Concerns

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the investigation on Tuesday, stating that the platforms are “harming the mental health, dignity and rights of our sons and daughters.” He emphasized that the state “cannot allow it” and that the “impunity of (tech) giants must end.”

Sánchez’s office reported that approximately one in five young people in Spain have reported being victims of AI-generated fake nude images created even as they were minors, with girls being disproportionately affected.

International Scrutiny and Related Investigations

Spain’s investigation is part of a wider international effort to address the risks associated with AI-generated sexual content. Separate probes have been launched in Britain, France, the European Union, and California, focusing on deepfakes created by X’s AI chatbot, Grok, and the broader regulation of artificial intelligence.

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has also initiated a formal investigation into Grok, examining its processing of personal data and its potential to generate harmful sexualized images and videos, including those involving children. In February, French police raided X’s offices as part of an expanding investigation and increased scrutiny of the platform by European authorities.

Sánchez’s Stance on Tech Regulation

Prime Minister Sánchez has been a vocal critic of leading tech figures, whom he refers to as “techno-oligarchs.” He has consistently called for stricter regulation of social media platforms to combat disinformation, violent content, and pornography. He recently clashed with Elon Musk, owner of X, and Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, after proposing a plan to ban social media access for individuals under the age of 16.

Further Measures in Spain

Beyond the investigation, Spain is considering a ban on social media platforms for children under the age of 16. The Spanish parliament is set to investigate Meta for potential privacy violations related to its platforms, Facebook and Instagram.