Ireland’s Data Regulator Probes X’s Use of European User Data for Grok Training
On Friday, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced an investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, focusing on the platform’s use of personal data from European users to develop its AI chatbot, Grok. This inquiry highlights the ongoing scrutiny of data privacy practices by major tech companies in Europe.
Investigation Details by the DPC
The DPC is set to examine how X handles personal data derived from publicly accessible posts made by European users. The focus will be on the platform’s methods for processing this information to train generative AI models, as reported by Reuters.
Past Enforcement Actions
The DPC has a history of imposing significant fines on major tech companies, including:
- Microsoft
- TikTok
- Meta
Meta alone has faced fines totaling nearly €3 billion (approximately $3.38 billion), underscoring the DPC’s commitment to enforcing data protection regulations.
Recent Developments at X
In a noteworthy move, X has opted its users into sharing their data with xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence enterprise, for the purpose of training Grok. This decision was made in 2024, and last month, Musk confirmed that xAI had officially acquired X.
Potential Consequences for X
The DPC’s investigation could have serious implications for X, as the agency has the authority to impose fines of up to 4% of a company’s global revenue under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These regulations mandate that companies must establish a valid legal basis for processing individuals’ data.
This latest inquiry follows the DPC’s previous efforts to obtain a court order to restrict X from utilizing European user data for AI training purposes.
For more information on data protection laws and regulations, visit the EU GDPR website.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the DPC proceeds with its investigation into X’s data practices.
