The Government asks the Prosecutor's Office to investigate Meta, TikTok, and X for disseminating child pornography with their AI: "The impunity of the giants must end"
The Spanish government is calling for an investigation into Meta, TikTok, and X for potentially disseminating child pornography through their AI technologies.
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has taken a strong stance against major tech companies by requesting that the Prosecutor's Office investigate allegations that Meta, TikTok, and X are involved in the dissemination of child pornography generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This demand forms part of a broader campaign aimed at holding large digital platforms accountable for their role in facilitating illegal activities, especially in light of the recent proliferation of generative AI tools capable of creating manipulated images, including deepfakes involving minors. The government emphasizes the need to end what it describes as the 'impunity' enjoyed by these tech giants regarding their responsibility for content shared on their platforms.
The move to initiate a legal inquiry against these high-profile companies is portrayed as a crucial step in reinforcing the protection of minors online and upholding legal standards in the digital space. Sánchez has previously condemned social media platforms as operating beyond the law, referring to them as 'failed states.' His administration aims to ensure that such entities are held accountable for their contributions to the spread of harmful content and illegal activities, which raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children online.
This announcement is significant not only for its implications regarding child safety but also for the ongoing global debate about the regulation of digital platforms and the responsibilities they bear. As governments around the world grapple with the challenges posed by AI and social media, Spain's proactive approach could set a precedent for action against similar issues in other regions, signaling a potential shift toward stricter regulation of tech companies and their content moderation practices.