The European Union has taken a decisive step in its investigation into Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. The bloc's executive body, the European Commission, has formally ordered Musk's social media platform X to preserve all internal documents and data related to the controversial AI tool. This move comes in direct response to a massive public backlash after Grok's features were used to generate sexually explicit deepfakes of children and minors.
The Core of the Controversy: "Edit Image" Feature
The firestorm erupted following the recent introduction of an "edit image" button within Grok. This functionality allowed users to manipulate online images with simple text prompts. Disturbingly, users exploited this capability by entering commands like "put her in a bikini" or "remove her clothes," leading to the creation of non-consensual, sexualised imagery. The EU has condemned this output, labelling it as both "illegal" and "unacceptable." EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier confirmed the data preservation order, stating that X must retain all relevant Grok documents until the end of 2026. This is an extension of a similar order sent to the platform last year concerning its algorithms and content recommendation systems.
Ongoing Scrutiny Under the Digital Services Act
This incident has intensified the existing regulatory pressure on X. The platform, owned by Elon Musk, has been under formal investigation by the European Commission since December 2023 under the EU's comprehensive Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA sets stringent rules for how large online platforms must manage illegal content and mitigate societal risks. Brussels has already demonstrated its willingness to impose hefty penalties, having slapped a €120 million fine on X in December for violating the DSA's transparency obligations. Those breaches involved the deceptive design of its "blue checkmark" verification system and failing to provide adequate data access to researchers.
Despite the fine and ongoing probes, X remains under the microscope for its handling of illegal content and potential information manipulation. The EU has firmly stated that compliance is non-negotiable. "The DSA is very clear in Europe. All platforms have to get their own house in order... compliance with EU law is not an option. It's an obligation," Regnier emphasised, signalling that the bloc will enforce its rules despite any political friction with the United States.
Political Pressure Mounts for Stronger Action
The issue has galvanised lawmakers within the EU Parliament. More than 30 members from the liberal Renew group sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging more aggressive action, including a dedicated probe under the DSA. Their concern highlights that the threat extends beyond celebrities. EU lawmaker Veronika Cifrova issued a stark warning, stating, "Make no mistake, it's not just a famous people issue... All the pictures of you or your kids ever posted on Facebook or Instagram are just one click away to being turned into porn on Grok." This underscores the widespread privacy and safety risks posed by such easily accessible AI tools.
The order to preserve data is a critical procedural step, granting EU investigators the future right to demand access to these documents from X. It solidifies the formal scrutiny on Grok and sets the stage for potential further enforcement actions as the probe continues into 2026. The case represents a major test for the enforcement of the EU's pioneering digital regulations against a powerful global tech platform.
