The UK's data privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), has commenced a formal inquiry into X and its associated artificial intelligence company, xAI. This investigation centres on whether these entities, both owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, have adhered to data protection legislation following serious allegations.
Focus on Non-Consensual Deepfake Generation
The probe specifically targets the misuse of the Grok AI chatbot, which has reportedly been utilised to produce sexually explicit deepfake imagery without the consent of the individuals depicted. Such actions raise profound concerns regarding privacy violations and the potential for significant harm.
Scope of the Investigation
The ICO will meticulously examine the compliance of X and xAI with the UK's stringent data protection laws. This includes assessing the companies' policies, safeguards, and responses to incidents involving the unauthorised creation and distribution of synthetic media.
This move underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny facing major technology firms, particularly those developing and deploying advanced AI systems. The outcome of this investigation could set important precedents for how AI tools are governed in relation to privacy and consent within the United Kingdom.
