Images of sexual abuse of minors, created with the help of AI. Spain is investigating Meta, X and TikTok
The Spanish government announced on Tuesday, February 17, that it will ask the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the companies X, Meta and TikTok for possible crimes related to the generation and distribution of material with the sexual abuse of minors created with the help of artificial intelligence. The move marks one of the firmest European responses to the proliferation of sexualized content created through deepfakes and generative algorithms.
X, accused of allowing the generation of sexualized images of minors through Grok. PHOTO X
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that his executive is acting to protect “the mental health, dignity and rights of our children” and to end “impunity” which the big online platforms enjoy.
The report that triggered the investigation
The Spanish government's decision is based on a specialist report that analyzes the criminal responsibility of platforms in the context of new generative technologies. The document warns that practices such as creating sexualized images of minors through deepfakes or manipulating real photos are becoming more widespread and can seriously damage the dignity of victims.
The report points out that social networks can be directly involved in these acts, as they allow “massive, rapid and opaque dissemination” of the materials, which makes detection and prosecution more difficult. In addition, the platforms facilitate the formation of networks that produce, distribute and monetize such content.
The investigation comes in a context where the Sánchez government is preparing a set of strict measures on the protection of minors online. These include banning access to social media for children under 16 and legislation to hold tech companies accountable for harmful or hateful content
Madrid's decision also comes less than a month after the European Commission opened an investigation into platform X, accusing it of allowing the generation of sexualized images of minors through its AI chatbot, Grok.
Pressure from the Irish authorities as well
On the same day, Ireland's Data Protection Commission — the Dublin-based European tech watchdog — announced a wide-ranging investigation into Grok's AI capabilities.
Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said the authority had spoken to X about allegations that users could ask the chatbot to generate sexualized images of real people, including minors. The investigation aims to determine whether the platform complies with the obligations imposed by the GDPR regarding the processing of personal data of European citizens.
Madrid promises zero tolerance
Elma Saiz, spokeswoman for the Spanish government, sent a firm message: Spain will not allow ca “digital sexual violence against children to be amplified or protected by algorithms”. She emphasized that the stake is “the safety of our children and the protection of their image, privacy and freedom”.
The Prime Minister's Office will formally request the Attorney General to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute companies that have violated the law.
Meta said it could not comment on the investigation without further details, but insisted it has a policy of “eextremely strict” against sexual exploitation of minors and non-consensual intimate images, whether real or AI-generated. TikTok and X have yet to issue a statement.
