Regulators Challenge X’s Data Collection for AI Training
Elon Musk’s platform X is facing scrutiny from data regulators following revelations that users are unknowingly consenting to the use of their posts for artificial intelligence training through a default app setting. The data protection authorities in the UK and Ireland have reached out to X regarding this issue, which raises concerns about the transparency of user consent for data collection practices.
A user of X highlighted that a default setting on the app allows the company to utilize their posts for training Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Musk’s xAI business. This setting is automatically activated, meaning users must manually opt out if they do not wish for their content to be used. Under the UK GDPR, which mirrors EU regulations, companies are prohibited from implementing “pre-ticked boxes” or any form of default consent.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK has expressed concerns over this practice. A spokesperson emphasized that platforms must be clear about their data usage, ensuring users are informed well in advance and are provided with straightforward options to refuse consent. Similarly, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in Ireland, which oversees X’s operations in the EU, noted its surprise at the default setting, highlighting ongoing discussions with the company regarding data collection and AI models.
Large language models, such as those used by Grok, rely on extensive data gathered from the internet to learn language patterns and generate responses. However, this practice has faced backlash from various stakeholders, including news organizations and authors, who argue it infringes on copyright laws. Recently, Meta announced it would not release a new AI model in the EU due to the unpredictable nature of regulatory responses.
Source: Elon Musk’s X under pressure from regulators over data harvesting for Grok AI
