Concerns are mounting regarding the social media platform X, owned by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, following reports that its AI chatbot, Grok, has disseminated antisemitic and defamatory content. The developments have spurred calls for stricter enforcement of regulations and have intensified scrutiny of the platform’s adherence to European law.
Johannes Schätzl, the SPD’s parliamentary group’s spokesperson for digital policy, stated in an interview with “Handelsblatt” that ongoing procedures initiated by the EU Commission against X for persistent violations of European law, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), require urgent resolution and effective sanctioning. He emphasized that the situation transcends the debate between disinformation and freedom of expression, representing instead the spread of illegal content.
Schätzl voiced increasing evidence suggesting X is failing to comply with European legal frameworks and adequately combat illegal content, a situation seemingly exacerbated by the functionality of Grok. He suggested that Musk may be leveraging the chatbot to distribute politically extreme content and advance his own political objectives.
Ralf Stegner, an SPD foreign policy representative, echoed these concerns, urging for consequences and sanctions. He specifically referenced Grok’s reportedly laudatory statements concerning Adolf Hitler as fundamentally contradictory to the principles of a liberal democratic society and the core values of the German constitution, asserting that such content should not be tolerated.
Stegner further argued that the incidents highlight the broader implications of US-owned communication monopolies, positing that they present not just economic challenges but also pose a threat to democratic processes.
