EU Orders Elon Musk’s X to Preserve Grok AI Data Amid Probe Into Illegal Content

The European Commission has ordered Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to retain all internal documents and data related to its built-in artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, until the end of 2026. The directive, confirmed by a Commission spokesperson on Thursday, is part of a broader regulatory effort to assess potential violations of European digital laws and ensure accountability for AI systems operating within the European Union.

According to the Commission, the order requires X to preserve a wide range of internal materials, including technical documentation, training data, internal communications, and decision-making records connected to Grok. The move signals increasing scrutiny of AI tools integrated into major social media platforms, especially as regulators evaluate how these technologies may influence content moderation, user safety, and the spread of harmful material online.

Earlier this week, the European Commission stated that images depicting undressed women and children circulating on X were “unlawful and appalling.” Officials said the platform’s handling of nonconsensual imagery has raised serious concerns, aligning the EU with a growing number of governments worldwide condemning the surge of such content on the platform. The issue has intensified debates around online safety, platform responsibility, and compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

“We take this very seriously,” Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters, emphasizing that protecting users, particularly minors, is a top priority for EU regulators. The Commission has made clear that platforms operating in the EU must act swiftly to remove illegal content and prevent its recurrence, regardless of whether it is amplified by algorithms or AI-driven features.

The order to preserve Grok-related data suggests regulators want to ensure that no potentially relevant evidence is altered or deleted while investigations are ongoing. As the EU continues to strengthen its oversight of Big Tech and artificial intelligence, the case involving X and Grok could become a key test of how far regulators are willing to go to enforce digital and AI regulations in Europe.