Spain Probes X, Meta, TikTok on AI Child Abuse Content

Madrid, Spain – Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Tuesday that the Spanish government has directed prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok for their alleged role in spreading AI-generated child mistreatment material. The probe targets potential crimes related to the creation and distribution of illegal child imagery using artificial intelligence on these platforms.

Sanchez emphasized the urgency of the action in a post on his X account, stating, "These platforms are undermining the mental health, dignity, and rights of our children." He added, "The state cannot allow this. The impunity of these giants must end." The three companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The investigation forms part of Spain's broader push to protect children from online harms. Earlier this month, Sanchez outlined several initiatives, including a proposed ban on social media access for users under 16 years old. He described the platforms as the "digital Wild West," highlighting risks from addictive features and abusive content. Current policies on platforms like Facebook and TikTok set the minimum age at 13, but enforcement remains a challenge.