On Tuesday, Spain's leftist government announced plans to ask prosecutors to investigate major social media platforms X (formerly Twitter), Meta, and TikTok for possible involvement in the creation and distribution of AI-generated child pornography. This decision is part of a larger international movement to scrutinize and regulate technologies that exploit artificial intelligence for harmful purposes. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez highlighted the government’s responsibilities to protect the dignity and rights of children in light of increasing reports of fake sexualized images affecting minors.

The announcement comes amid simultaneous investigations into these platforms in several regions, including the UK, France, the EU, and California, targeting AI-generated deepfakes that have raised alarms regarding online safety and exploitation. Sanchez emphasized the necessity for accountability from tech giants, stating that the ongoing situation threatens the mental health of young people, indicating that significant changes in regulation and policy may be required to ensure the protection of minors in the digital age.

Statistics reveal that nearly 20% of young people in Spain have reported being victims of fake nude images created through AI technology during their childhood. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of the government’s focus on curbing the misuse of AI in ways that could endanger children, illustrating a desperate call to action that reverberates through the EU and beyond, as societies increasingly grapple with the implications of digital technology and its impact on the most vulnerable populations.