Commission investigates Grok and X's recommender systems under the Digital Services Act

The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into X, formerly Twitter, under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This action specifically targets the platform's recommender systems, including the newly integrated Grok AI functionalities, raising concerns about the potential dissemination of illegal content and harm to users. The investigation underscores the EU's commitment to enforcing its digital regulations on major online platforms. The inquiry will scrutinize X's risk assessment and mitigation processes concerning Grok's deployment, particularly regarding illegal content such as manipulated sexually explicit images and potential child sexual abuse material. The Commission is examining whether X diligently assessed and addressed systemic risks, including gender-based violence and negative impacts on users' mental and physical well-being, prior to integrating Grok. This follows an ongoing investigation into X's compliance with recommender system risk management obligations launched in December 2023. This investigation has significant implications for X and other very large online platforms operating within the EU. It highlights the DSA's role in holding platforms accountable for the risks associated with their algorithms and AI integrations, ensuring user protection and the integrity of online content. The outcome could set precedents for how recommender systems and AI features are evaluated and regulated across the digital landscape.