- X halts use of European users’ posts for AI training following legal action by Ireland’s DPC.
- The suspension affects data processed between May 7, 2024, and August 1, 2024.
- Legal proceedings initiated by the DPC focused on GDPR compliance.
- The DPC is collaborating with EU regulators to assess the lawfulness of the data processing.
- Questions remain about the deletion of potentially unlawfully processed data.
- The issue parallels previous scrutiny faced by OpenAI’s ChatGPT under GDPR.
- X assures EU users of continued service with enhanced data control settings.
- Further court proceedings are expected in September.
Main AI News:
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has agreed to halt the use of European users’ public posts for AI training following legal pressure from Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of AI data processing practices within the EU.
The DPC, responsible for overseeing X under the GDPR, announced the suspension in a press release on Thursday, praising the platform’s compliance. The regulator highlighted that X has ceased processing personal data from EU and EEA users, utilized from May 7, 2024, to August 1, 2024, to train its AI tool, ‘Grok.’
The agreement was reached amidst urgent High Court proceedings initiated by the DPC under the Data Protection Act of 2018. The DPC’s move was aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of EU citizens, as emphasized by Ms. Justice Reynolds in her concluding remarks.
Earlier in the week, the DPC had begun legal action seeking an injunction against X over the alleged data processing without user consent. Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTE, also reported that the DPC intends to refer the matter to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).
DPC commissioner Des Hogan welcomed X’s decision to suspend data processing while the DPC, in collaboration with its EU/EEA counterparts, continues its examination of the platform’s compliance with GDPR. Hogan reiterated the DPC’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of data subjects across the EU and EEA.
Questions remain about the fate of any data that may have been unlawfully processed during this period, with inquiries directed at whether such data will be deleted. Moreover, the legality of AI models trained on potentially unlawful data raises further concerns that privacy watchdogs may need to address.
The DPC’s move echoes previous actions taken against other AI systems, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which also faced scrutiny from GDPR enforcers. The EDPB’s task force on ChatGPT, which issued its first report in May, has yet to resolve critical issues regarding the lawfulness and fairness of data processing for AI training.
As the DPC prepares for further court proceedings in September, X responded by assuring EU users that they can continue to use Grok with greater control over their data via privacy settings. The company stated its ongoing cooperation with the DPC on AI-related matters, which has been ongoing since last year.
While the DPC has confirmed that the suspension was agreed upon in the Irish High Court, further details of the legal undertaking remain sparse. The High Court’s media relations office indicated that the agreement might have been made verbally in court, with no formal paper filings available for public review. The matter is set to be revisited in court later this year.
Conclusion:
X’s suspension of data processing highlights the increasing regulatory scrutiny over AI training practices within the EU. This development signals a growing emphasis on data protection and compliance with GDPR, which could lead to more stringent oversight across the tech industry. Companies relying on AI-driven solutions may need to reassess their data practices to avoid legal challenges and maintain market trust. The situation raises potential concerns for investors and stakeholders about the future costs and risks associated with non-compliance in this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
