The Daily Star Ireland
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has initiated a formal investigation into the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, focusing on the use of personal data from European Union users in training its artificial intelligence system, Grok. This inquiry aims to assess whether X’s practices align with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), particularly concerning the lawful and transparent processing of personal data.
The DPC’s decision follows previous legal proceedings against X, which were concluded after the company agreed to cease using EU users’ data for AI training without explicit consent. Despite this agreement, the current investigation seeks to ensure ongoing compliance with GDPR standards and to address any potential breaches related to the processing of publicly accessible posts by EU users.
As the lead EU regulator for X, due to the company’s European headquarters being located in Ireland, the DPC holds the authority to impose significant fines for non-compliance with data protection laws. This investigation underscores the importance of adhering to GDPR requirements, especially in the context of emerging technologies like AI.
The outcome of this investigation could have broader implications for how companies develop and train AI models using personal data. It highlights the necessity for organizations to implement robust data protection measures and to ensure transparency and lawfulness in their data processing activities.
As AI technologies continue to evolve, regulatory bodies like the DPC play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals’ data rights and in promoting responsible innovation within the digital landscape.
