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The European Commission has ordered the social media platform X to preserve internal documents and data tied to its Grok chatbot until December 31, 2026, as regulators intensify scrutiny of illegal content risks on the platform.
The move follows complaints that Grok’s image tools helped users create and share non-consensual sexual imagery, including content that appears to depict minors.
The Commission’s order requires X to keep Grok-related materials available for potential requests during the ongoing assessment of the platform’s compliance. A Commission spokesperson said the measure extends an earlier preservation request linked to platform systems and the spread of illegal content.
Officials framed the step as an evidence-protection measure rather than a new case. The spokesperson said the Commission has not opened a fresh formal DSA investigation based on this new controversy while it reviews X’s responses to information requests.
The retention order sits inside a broader DSA enforcement track. The Commission opened formal proceedings against X in December 2023 over issues that include risk management, content moderation, dark patterns, ad transparency, and researcher data access.
In December 2025, the Commission fined X with €120 million for DSA transparency breaches, citing issues tied to the “blue check” design, ad repository transparency, and researcher data access.
X also faces exposure to additional measures under the DSA if regulators confirm systemic failures. The framework allows orders to change or disable features and financial penalties that can reach a percentage of global turnover, depending on the findings and process.
Authorities outside Brussels increased pressure on X and Grok. In the UK, Ofcom said it made urgent contact with X after raising concerns that Grok could generate sexualised images involving children, warning that this may breach duties under the Online Safety Act.
In Ireland, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Niamh Smyth said distribution of child sexual abuse material, including computer-generated images, constitutes a criminal offence. She also sought engagement with X and urged reporting through Irish enforcement and hotline channels.
In France, reporting indicated prosecutors expanded an inquiry into X to consider allegations that Grok supported the creation and circulation of child sexual abuse content.
In India, the IT ministry pressed X for a detailed action plan and stronger safeguards after it judged the company’s initial response inadequate on harmful Grok outputs.
Also Read: Elon Musk’s X Cracks Down on Grok AI Misuse: Users Face Legal Action
