Web Desk
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an investigation into the social platform X—formerly known as Twitter—over alleged misuse of EU citizens’ personal data to train an AI tool called Grok.
The DPC, which serves as the EU’s lead data regulator for X, is examining how the platform handles publicly visible posts from EU and EEA users. Specifically, it’s probing whether this data is being processed to train generative AI models like Grok without proper user consent.
This investigation follows a court order issued last August, which forced X to stop using EU users’ data for AI training unless users had been given a clear chance to opt out.
At the time, it was revealed that X users weren’t informed or given an option to object until weeks after the AI data collection had already started.
In May, X reportedly began supplying data from its EU users to xAI—a company founded in 2023 by X owner Elon Musk. This data was intended to train Grok, a new AI chatbot.
According to privacy group Noyb, a pitch to xAI investors even claimed that having access to X user data would give the startup an edge over its competitors.
However, most users didn’t know their data was being used in this way. News of the practice surfaced through a viral post on X in late July.
The company only updated its terms of service in September to reflect the new use of data for AI purposes.
Last month, Musk merged the operations of X and xAI, transferring X’s ownership to the AI company.
Privacy advocacy group Noyb responded by filing complaints in several EU countries, including France, Germany, and Spain.
The group criticized the DPC’s earlier actions as being too lenient and claimed the core legal issue—the need for user consent—was not being properly addressed.
Noyb chairman Max Schrems stated, “EU law clearly requires platforms like Twitter to get users’ permission before using their data for AI.”
Under the EU’s strict GDPR laws, Ireland’s DPC has the authority to fine companies up to 4% of their global revenue for data violations.
