Spain to investigate social media firms over AI-generated child sexual abuse material

Spain will ask prosecutors to investigate X, Meta and TikTok over allegations their AI tools generated and disseminated child sexual abuse material, a step taken after an expert report and cabinet agreement and occurring alongside related EU inquiries.

Spain's government has decided to ask prosecutors to investigate the social media companies X, Meta and TikTok over allegations that their AI tools generated and spread child sexual abuse material. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and follows an expert report examining potential criminal liability tied to deepfakes and manipulated images. The cabinet approved the move while preparing wider measures, including a proposed ban on under-16s from social platforms and legislation to hold companies responsible for harmful content. Separate inquiries at EU level, including action from the European Commission and Ireland's Data Protection Commission, are also under way. Key facts: - The government will formally ask the attorney general to open prosecutorial investigations into X, Meta and TikTok. - The action is based on an expert report that analysed the generation and dissemination of sexual content involving children through AI-driven deepfakes and image manipulation. - The cabinet has agreed the step as part of a broader package that includes a planned ban for under-16s on social platforms and new rules on platform responsibility. - The European Commission and Ireland's Data Protection Commission are conducting separate inquiries into X and its Grok AI model over related concerns. Summary: The move increases legal scrutiny of major social media platforms and aligns Spain's actions with ongoing EU-level probes. The immediate next step is for the attorney general to receive the cabinet's request and determine whether to open criminal proceedings; further developments are expected as those investigations proceed.