Von der Leyen Criticizes Musk’s AI for Altering Women’s Photos

In January, numerous women and teenagers, including prominent figures, reported that their photos on social media had been manipulated. This manipulation involved altering images to depict individuals in bikinis using a deepfake tool known as Grok. The situation has triggered investigations from regulators in various European cities, including Brussels, Dublin, Paris, and London.

EU Investigations into Grok and X

The European Commission took decisive action, directing X, the parent company of Twitter, to preserve all documents related to Grok. This initiative is part of a larger investigation into X’s content moderation policies. The Commission deemed the creation of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes as “illegal,” “appalling,” and “disgusting.”

Changes to AI Image Generation Features

• X has restricted its AI image generation tool to paying subscribers only.
• This decision, however, does not conclude the ongoing EU investigation.

Recent Regulatory Actions and Reactions

Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, indicated that limiting Grok’s usage does not prevent further scrutiny. The controversy surrounding the tool has surfaced amid broader regulatory efforts against major U.S. tech companies.

In a recent move, Brussels imposed a €120 million fine on X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). This penalty prompted a strong response from the U.S. government, which placed a travel ban on Thierry Breton, the EU’s former digital commissioner and key architect of the DSA.

El-Balad’s Coverage

As this situation develops, X has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the criticism from Ursula von der Leyen. The incident represents a significant challenge for the EU in regulating technology and protecting individuals from harmful online practices.