The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into X under the Digital Services Act, examining whether the platform adequately assessed and mitigated risks before deploying its AI tool Grok in the European Union.
The investigation will focus on risks related to dissemination of illegal content, including manipulated sexually explicit images and potential child sexual abuse material. The Commission stated these risks appear to have materialised, exposing EU citizens to serious harm.
Failure to conduct risk assessment
The Commission will investigate whether X complied with obligations to assess and mitigate systemic risks, including dissemination of illegal content, negative effects related to gender-based violence, and serious consequences to physical and mental wellbeing from Grok’s functionalities.
Under the Digital Services Act, X was required to conduct and transmit an ad hoc risk assessment report for Grok prior to deployment, given the tool’s critical impact on the platform’s risk profile.
The Commission has also extended its ongoing investigation, launched in December 2023, to examine whether X properly assessed all systemic risks associated with its recommender systems, including the impact of its recently announced switch to a Grok-based recommendation system.
Previous enforcement action
If proven, these failures would constitute infringements of multiple DSA articles. The Commission stated it will conduct an in-depth investigation as a priority, though opening formal proceedings does not prejudge the outcome.
The investigation extends proceedings launched on 18th December 2023, which focused on X’s content moderation mechanisms, mitigation measures against illegal content including terrorist material, and risks associated with recommender systems.
Those proceedings also covered deceptive design, lack of advertising transparency and insufficient data access for researchers. The Commission adopted a non-compliance decision on 5th December 2025, fining X €120 million.
On 19th September, the Commission sent X a request for information related to Grok, including questions about antisemitic content generated by the AI tool in mid-2025.
What is Grok
Grok is an artificial intelligence tool developed by X that has been deployed on the platform in various ways since 2024. The tool enables users to generate text and images and provides contextual information to users’ posts.
Citizens who have been negatively affected by AI-generated images, including child sexual abuse material or non-consensual intimate images, can access help and support at national level.
Under the DSA, individuals have the right to file complaints about DSA breaches with their Member State’s Digital Services Coordinator.
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