Spain Launches Investigation Against X, Meta, and TikTok

The Spanish government has tasked the prosecution with investigating social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok for the suspected dissemination of child sexual abuse materials created using artificial intelligence (AI). This was announced by the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

“These platforms undermine our children’s mental health, dignity, and rights,” Sánchez wrote on his page on X.

The statement from Spain comes against the backdrop of European regulators tightening oversight over large technology companies.

Earlier this month, Sánchez unveiled a series of measures aimed at curbing online abuses and protecting children. One of the proposals suggests banning access to social media for individuals under the age of 16.

X's owner Elon Musk referred to Sánchez as a “traitor to the Spanish people.” Meanwhile, Telegram founder Pavel Durov stated that the proposed measures are not “guarantees,” but rather a move towards “total control.”