Spanish Government Orders Investigation into Social Media Platforms Over Child Abuse Material

Prime MinisterPedro Sanchezannounced Tuesday that theSpanishgovernment had ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok for allegedly spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material. "These platforms are undermining the mental health, dignity, and rights of our children," Sanchez wrote ‌on X. "The state cannot allow this. The impunity of these ‌giants ​must end." Sanchez added that his government would ask prosecutors to "investigate the crimes that X, Meta, and TikTok may be committing through the creation and dissemination of child pornography using their AI." Earlier this month, the Spanish premier announced several measures aimed at curbing online abuse and protecting children. One of those measures is a proposed ban on social media platforms for children under the age of 16. Also, in November, Sanchez said that Spain's parliament would investigate Meta for potential privacy violations involving users of its platforms, Facebook and Instagram. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video Other European governments have also launched investigations, imposed bans, and demanded safeguards in an increasing effort to curb illegal material worldwide. On Tuesday,Ireland's Data Protection Commission announced it had opened a formal investigation into Grokover its processing of personal data and the platform's potential to generate harmful sexualized images and videos, including those involving children. In February, French police raided the offices of X, amid an expanding investigation and growing scrutiny of the platform by authorities across Europe. European regulatorsare also cracking down on big tech companies for allegedly engaging in abusive practices on online platforms. These practices range from anti-competitive behavior in digital advertising to deliberately designing addictive social media features. Edited by: Roshni Majumdar