X accused of using EU user data to train Grok without consent

It has been revealed that the Irish Data Protection Commission has filed a lawsuit against X (Twitter) for allegedly using user data from X's (Twitter) AI 'Grok' for training purposes, and has asked for an order to stop using the data.

X accused of using EU user data to train Grok without consent
https://www.engadget.com/ai/x-accused-of-using-eu-user-data-to-train-grok-without-consent-133042114.html

X Refutes Claims That It Illegally Used EU User Data To Train AI | Social Media Today
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-refutes-claims-that-it-illegally-used-eu-user-data-to-train-its-grok-ai-s/723536/

X, owned by Mr. Musk, revised its terms of use on August 31, 2023, to state that 'user data may be used to train AI.' After that, xAI, an AI startup founded by Mr. Musk, announced Grok, making it clear that X's data would be used for this Grok.

The terms and conditions state that X's data will be used for training AI development, and Elon Musk also comments - GIGAZINE

On July 27, 2024, a setting was added that allows users to opt out of having their posts learned. X had been releasing a way to opt out of data usage since at least May, but had not made it clear that learning was on by default.

The Irish Data Protection Commission has launched legal proceedings against Grok, alleging that the company may have breached EU law when processing user data for Training X.

The Data Protection Commission said, 'We have been in discussion with X on this matter for several months, but were not aware of any such moves, such as default learning. We have contacted X and are awaiting a response.' The Commission said that the unauthorized use of user data breached its obligations under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and that the failure to promptly provide a opt-out setting also breached the regulation.

However, X countered, 'We have been in active discussions with the Data Protection Commission and others since late 2023 and have been fully transparent about our use of public data. X communicates directly to users about how we use their data. While many companies use public information without regard for privacy, we work hard to give users control over the extent to which their data is used. The order sought by the Data Protection Commission is unjust.'

The order that the Irish DPC has sought is unwarranted, overbroad and singles out X without any justification. This is deeply troubling.

The order applies not just to Grok but to any AI model that X uses, potentially impacting our work to keep the platform safe and possibly the…

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) August 6, 2024

Twitter International, X's Irish division, reportedly rejected the Data Protection Commission's request to stop processing data and to delay the next version of Grok. It has been suggested that this is why the Data Protection Commission has filed a lawsuit so that it can suspend or completely ban the training. If the court finds that GDPR regulations have been violated, X could be fined up to 4% of its annual global turnover.