In a major shift X, the social media platform once called Twitter, has decided to stop using European Union (EU) user data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This choice stems from a legal battle with the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). The DPC expressed worries about how the platform was using user data without getting proper permission.
The DPC had requested an order to suspend or limit X’s processing of EU user data for AI development, citing issues with consent. The Irish regulator had expressed concerns that X began using EU user data for AI training on May 7, 2024, but did not provide users with an opt-out option until July 16, 2024. Furthermore, the opt-out function was not made universally available immediately.
In a recent court session, X’s legal team confirmed that it would halt the use of data collected from EU users between May 7 and August 1, pending the resolution of the DPC’s suspension order. This move aligns with the platform’s attempt to comply with regulatory requirements while the legal process unfolds.
X, which is owned by Elon Musk, allows users to choose whether their public posts can be used by the AI chatbot Grok. Despite this, concerns were raised over the timing and implementation of the opt-out options provided to users.
X’s Global Government Affairs account has criticized the DPC’s order, labeling it as “unwarranted, overboard, and unjustified.” This response reflects the company’s frustration with what it perceives as discriminatory action against its platform.
This action follows similar regulatory moves against other tech giants. In June, Meta Platforms was forced to abandon a planned AI launch in Europe due to DPC demands, and Alphabet’s Google has also faced delays and revisions of its AI projects following consultations with the Irish regulator.
As X navigates this legal challenge, the pause on AI training using EU user data highlights the ongoing scrutiny tech companies face regarding data privacy and consent in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
