EU launches investigation into Twitter (X) & Grok over generative AI image tools
The EU will determine whether or not the rollout of Grok gen AI image generation in Twitter assessed and mitigated risks in accordance with the Digital Services Act.
In late 2025, X (formerly known as Twitter) and its Grok AI chatbot ushered in new image generation tools and made them available to users, who then hit the platform with a wave of “manipulated sexually explicit images, including content that may amount to child sexual abuse material.” That’s how the European Union described the issue as it launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform, determining if X properly assessed and mitigated risks or if it is in violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The EU announced the launch of its latest investigation into Twitter/X and Grok in a press release this week, where it laid out the priority goals of the investigation:
The new investigation will assess whether the company properly assessed and mitigated risks associated with the deployment of Grok’s functionalities into X in the EU. This includes risks related to the dissemination of illegal content in the EU, such as manipulated sexually explicit images, including content that may amount to child sexual abuse material.
We have launched a new formal investigation against X under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
It will assess whether the company properly assessed and mitigated risks associated with the deployment of Grok’s functionalities into X in the EU.
Read more: https://t.co/CdgjpgPDi6 pic.twitter.com/vUBukIpPlo
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) January 26, 2026
The European Commission goes on to say it will begin to gather evidence, conduct interviews and inspections, request information, and may impose interim measures and penalties as the investigation continues if it finds X/Twitter to be in violation of the rules laid out in the DSA.
EU regulators have kept eyes on Elon Musk’s social platform for years, pushing for better content moderation, and ultimately launching a separate probe against X for a perceived lack thereof in 2024. The Commission has announced it will “extend formal proceedings” on its separate probe as it carries out this new investigation.
With X and Grok having crossed a line in December 2025, discerning eyes look to be on Musk’s platform going into 2026. As we watch for further updates, stay tuned to the Twitter topic.
TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on BlueSky @JohnnyChugs.
