Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is facing a barrage of complaints across nine European countries for allegedly using personal data from over 60 million European users to train its artificial intelligence technology, Grok, without their consent. The complaints, filed by the privacy advocacy group Noyb (None Of Your Business), led by Austrian activist Max Schrems, cite violations of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).According to Noyb, X ‘never proactively informed its users that their personal data was being used to train its AI technology, Grok’. The organization claims that most users only discovered this new default setting through a viral post on July 26, 2024, rather than through direct communication from the company.The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), which acts on behalf of the European Union, has already taken legal action against X, resulting in a temporary suspension of data processing for AI training in the EU. However, Noyb argues that the DPC’s approach doesn’t address the core issue of data processing legality.’We want to ensure that Twitter (now X) fully complies with EU law, which – at a bare minimum – requires to ask users for consent,’ stated Max Schrems, founder of Noyb. The organization is calling for a more comprehensive investigation and stricter enforcement of EU data protection laws.This action against X follows similar complaints filed by Noyb against Meta (Facebook, Instagram) in June, which led to the suspension of Meta’s AI training program using European user data. The outcome of these complaints could have significant implications for how tech companies handle user data for AI development in the European Union.
Key points
- X (formerly Twitter) is accused of using data from 60+ million European users to train its AI without consent.
- Privacy group Noyb has filed complaints in nine European countries, citing GDPR violations.
- The Irish Data Protection Commission has already taken action, leading to a temporary suspension of data processing for AI training in the EU.
- This case could set a precedent for how tech companies handle user data for AI development in the EU.
Contradictions👾There is some discrepancy in the reported number of countries where complaints have been filed.
Most sources mention eight countries, while others report nine.