Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced on Tuesday that his government would instruct prosecutors to investigate social media behemoths X, Meta, and TikTok. The investigation centers on allegations that these platforms are facilitating the spread of child sexual abuse material created using artificial intelligence. This marks the latest escalation in Europe’s ongoing campaign to rein in the influence of major tech corporations.
“These platforms are jeopardizing the mental well-being, dignity, and fundamental rights of our children,” Sánchez declared in a social media post. He emphasized, “The state cannot stand idly by. The era of impunity for these giants must come to an end.”
The three companies involved have not yet publicly responded to the accusations. This development follows a similar incident where French police recently raided X’s offices in Paris concerning related allegations, which the company vehemently denied.
This aggressive stance by Spain significantly intensifies the growing friction between European governments and American technology firms. Notably, previous U.S. administrations have often sided with American tech companies against attempts at regulation from across the Atlantic.
The deepening dispute highlights fundamental disagreements between the United States and its tech industry versus the European Union and its member states. These differing views pertain to the definition of protected speech, as well as the responsibilities of corporations in safeguarding the welfare of individuals impacted by their platforms. Europe is increasingly becoming a critical testbed for democratic governments worldwide, demonstrating their capacity to regulate and impose penalties on some of the globe’s most dominant industries. For instance, last December, the European Union imposed its first fine under the new Digital Services Act, penalizing X, owned by Elon Musk, approximately $140 million for various violations. Furthermore, French authorities recently searched X’s local offices as part of a cybercrime investigation into the dissemination of child pornography and Holocaust denial on the platform.
Separately, Britain’s data protection authority has also initiated an investigation into X regarding explicit images generated by its AI chatbot, Grok. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission joined these efforts on Tuesday, announcing its own inquiry into whether Grok enabled the proliferation of child pornographic images on the platform.
European leaders maintain that their regulatory efforts are primarily focused on protecting citizens from abuse, rather than, as some American politicians and tech leaders argue, restricting free speech.
Sánchez, a progressive leader known for his willingness to challenge prominent figures and tech giants, has explicitly called for prosecutors to “investigate the crimes that X, Meta, and TikTok may be committing through the creation and dissemination of child pornography using their AI.”
Earlier this month, Spain aligned with France, Denmark, and Australia in proposing a ban on social media access for children under 16. Sánchez passionately stated, “We will shield them from the digital Wild West.”
While the proposed ban still requires parliamentary approval, Sánchez’s strong language, particularly his reference to “crimes committed” by Grok, quickly provoked a strong and personal attack from Elon Musk against the Prime Minister.
Some Spanish political observers suggest that this strong reaction was precisely what Sánchez intended. He has actively sought to enhance his profile as a liberal leader on the global stage, especially as he navigates significant domestic political divisions and ongoing scandals at home.