EU Watchdog Probes X’s Use of User Data for AI Without Consent

The EU’s privacy watchdog is questioning X (formerly Twitter) over its use of user posts to train the xAI chatbot Grok without obtaining consent, potentially violating GDPR rules.

Key details: The EU watchdog expressed surprise and is seeking clarity on X’s data practices, which may not comply with GDPR requirements for obtaining user consent before using personal data:

• X users were likely opted-in by default to have their posts used as training data for Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s AI company xAI.
• Under GDPR, companies must obtain explicit consent from users before using their personal data for purposes like training AI models.
• The EU watchdog told The Financial Times they were “surprised” by X’s actions and are now “seeking clarity” on the issue.

Broader implications: This development highlights the increasing scrutiny tech companies face over their AI data practices, particularly in the EU where GDPR sets strict standards for user privacy and consent:

• As AI becomes more prevalent, the sources and methods used to train these systems are coming under greater regulatory oversight.
• The EU has been at the forefront of efforts to protect user privacy and establish clear rules around the use of personal data, putting it on a collision course with tech giants racing to develop and deploy AI.
• The outcome of the EU watchdog’s inquiry into X could set an important precedent for how social media data can be used to train AI models and the consent required from users.

Looking ahead: X and other tech companies will likely face growing pressure to be more transparent about their AI data practices and to give users greater control over how their information is used:

• Regulators in the EU and elsewhere are poised to take a harder line against companies that fail to prioritize user privacy and consent in their rush to develop AI technologies.
• As awareness of these issues grows among the public, companies that proactively address privacy concerns and give users clear choices may gain a competitive advantage in terms of trust and adoption.
• The X case underscores the need for ongoing dialogue between regulators, tech companies, and the public to strike the right balance between innovation and privacy in the age of AI.