Commission expands DSA investigation into X to cover Grok integration

The European Commission has launched a new formal investigation into X under the Digital Services Act. The probe focuses on whether the platform has complied with its obligations when deploying the Grok functionalities within the EU.

The new procedure runs in parallel with an existing investigation opened in December 2023, which examines X’s compliance with DSA requirements related to recommender systems and systemic risk management. The Commission has now extended that earlier case to include the impact of Grok on X’s overall risk profile.

According to the Commission, the investigation will assess whether X adequately identified and mitigated risks arising from Grok’s integration. These risks include the potential dissemination of illegal content in the EU, such as manipulated sexually explicit material, including content that may qualify as child sexual abuse material.

The Commission indicated that some of these risks appear to have materialised, potentially exposing users in the EU to serious harm. As a result, regulators will examine whether X met its duty to diligently assess and address systemic risks, including harms linked to gender-based violence and negative effects on users’ physical and mental well-being.

The investigation will also consider whether X conducted and submitted an ad hoc risk assessment to the Commission before deploying Grok, as required when new functionalities significantly affect a platform’s risk profile under the DSA.

The Commission has not set a public deadline for the investigation. Under the Digital Services Act, confirmed infringements can lead to corrective measures and financial penalties, depending on the severity and duration of the non-compliance.