Spanish authorities have announced plans to investigate major social media companies over concerns that artificial intelligence tools are being used to create and spread sexualized content, including material involving children. The move signals a tougher stance from the government as it seeks to hold large technology platforms accountable for what appears on their systems.
The government of Spain will formally ask prosecutors to examine whether companies such as X, Meta, and TikTok have broken the law by allowing artificial intelligence tools to generate and distribute abusive or sexualized images. Officials are especially concerned about deepfakes, which are manipulated images or videos made using AI to look real. In some cases, these tools can create explicit images of real people, including minors, without their consent.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government’s priority is to protect children’s mental health, dignity, and privacy. He argued that powerful digital platforms must not operate without responsibility when harmful content spreads on their networks. According to the government, an expert report found that AI systems can make it easier for such content to be created quickly and shared widely, making it harder for authorities to track and remove it.
The investigation is part of a wider effort by Spain to strengthen online safety. The government is preparing additional measures, including a possible ban on social media use for children under the age of 16. Lawmakers are also working on new rules that would make tech companies more legally responsible for harmful and hateful content shared on their platforms.
Spain’s action comes at a time when other European bodies are also increasing scrutiny of social media and AI tools. The European Commission recently launched its own investigation into X over concerns related to explicit AI-generated material. Ireland’s data protection authority is also examining whether certain AI features comply with European privacy laws.
The companies involved say they take child protection seriously. Meta and TikTok have stated that they prohibit child sexual exploitation and remove such content when it is detected. They also say they continue to invest in advanced technology to prevent abuse. X has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.
The debate has sparked criticism from some technology leaders, who argue that stricter rules could limit online freedom. However, Spanish officials insist that stronger regulation is necessary to prevent digital spaces from becoming unsafe, especially for children.
As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, governments around the world are facing new legal and ethical questions. Spain’s investigation highlights the growing pressure on social media companies to ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of safety and human dignity.
This trend of authorities investigating different platforms over the type of content they carry is likely to prompt many firms, such as Core AI Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CHAI), to review their own policies to ensure that they don’t get in the crosshairs of regulators in their target markets.
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