The platform had forcibly opted EU citizens in to Grok’s training without asking permission. It meant that Grok AI was using X users’ personal inf

X permanently stops Grok AI from using EU citizens’ tweets after court action by Irish data watchdog

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2024-09-04 13:00:04

The platform had forcibly opted EU citizens in to Grok’s training without asking permission. It meant that Grok AI was using X users’ personal information, including posts, to build its own AI as a rival to ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

“The DPC had significant concerns that the processing of personal data contained in the public posts of X's EU and EEA users for the purpose of training its Al 'Grok' gave rise to a risk to the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals,” said the regulator in a statement.

However, the DPC now says that it won’t itself immediately rule on substantial issues around how and when big tech AI engines parse Europeans’ personal data.

Instead, it says that it will now refer the issue to the European Data Protection Board to adjudicate on and set rules. The move may be seen by the industry as a step back from being the undisputed primary regulator of big tech companies located in Ireland, instead evolving into a body that seeks to refer key decisions to a more federal European body.

“More broadly, the DPC is addressing issues arising from the use of personal data in Al models across industry,” the regulator said, referring to its pause in immediate decision-making on AI processing.