The Spanish government will ask prosecutors to investigate social media companies X, Meta, and TikTok to determine if they have committed crimes by allegedly allowing their AI to generate and spread child sexual abuse material.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the decision aims to protect “the mental health, dignity and rights of our sons and daughters” and to end the “impunity” of major social media platforms.
The action is based on an expert report analyzing the potential criminal liability for practices like creating and spreading sexual content and child sexual abuse through deepfakes or manipulated images, which violate victims’ dignity. The report warned that social media firms could be involved by enabling the rapid, widespread, and opaque dissemination of such material, making detection difficult and facilitating networks that produce, share, and profit from it.
The cabinet agreed to the move on Tuesday as the government prepares measures including a social media ban for under-16s and legislation to hold tech companies accountable for harmful content. This follows a European Commission investigation launched less than a month ago into X over sexually explicit images and possible child sexual abuse material generated by its AI chatbot, Grok.
On Tuesday, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced a “large-scale” inquiry focusing on Grok’s generative AI functionality. Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said the DPC is examining whether users could prompt Grok to generate sexualized images of real people, including children, and whether X complied with GDPR obligations regarding EU/EEA citizens’ personal data.
Spanish government spokesperson Elma Saiz stated that Madrid will not allow digital sexual violence against children to be “amplified or protected” by algorithms, emphasizing the safety, privacy, and freedom of children. The cabinet will formally ask the attorney general to investigate and, if applicable, prosecute offending companies.
Meta said it could not comment on the proposed investigation without detailed information but emphasized its strong stance against child sexual exploitation and non-consensual intimate imagery, whether real or AI-generated, and its policy of removing such content. X and TikTok have also been approached for comment.
Sánchez’s efforts to hold social media companies accountable and protect children from what he calls the “digital wild west” have drawn strong reactions from some major tech firm owners. Earlier this month, he argued that urgent action is needed because social media has become a “failed state where laws are ignored and crimes are tolerated.”
He also criticized Elon Musk for using X to “amplify disinformation” about the government’s decision to regularize 500,000 undocumented workers and asylum seekers, noting that Musk is himself a migrant. Musk responded by calling Sánchez “a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain” and a “true fascist totalitarian.”The Spanish government’s plans also drew criticism from Russian tech entrepreneur and Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov. In a mass message sent to all Telegram users in Spain, he accused the Sánchez administration of “pushing dangerous new regulations that threaten your internet freedoms,” warning that the measures could turn Spain “into a surveillance state under the guise of ‘protection.'”
Spanish government sources responded by stating that Durov’s unprecedented message to millions of users was intended to undermine trust in institutions and highlighted the need to regulate social media and messaging apps. “Spaniards cannot live in a world where foreign tech oligarchs can flood our phones with propaganda at will, simply because the government has announced measures to protect minors and enforce the law,” they said.
Growing concerns over the harmful effects of social media have prompted several governments, including those of Spain, Britain, Greece, and France, to adopt or consider stricter legislation. In December, Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from such platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Spains approach to AIgenerated child abuse content framed for social media discussion
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly is AIgenerated child abuse content
Its realistic images or videos of child sexual abuse created entirely by artificial intelligence not involving real children in the production However it is still illegal and harmful
2 Is this even a problem in Spain
Yes Spanish authorities like the Guardia Civil have identified it as a growing and serious threat as it fuels demand and normalizes abuse even if no direct victim is photographed
3 Is this stuff illegal in Spain
Absolutely Spanish law treats AIgenerated child sexual abuse material the same as material involving real children Possession distribution or creation is a serious crime
4 I saw a suspicious AI image online What should I do
Do not share it Report it immediately to the platform where you saw it You can also report it anonymously to the Spanish authorities through the Guardia Civils website or the ANAR Foundation hotline for child protection
5 Why is it harmful if no real child is hurt in making the image
It perpetuates the sexualization of children can be used to groom real victims and fuels a dangerous market It also causes profound psychological harm to the children whose faces are stolen and superimposed
Advanced Practical Questions
6 How is Spanish law adapting to tackle this new technology
Spain is implementing the EUs Digital Services Act which mandates platforms to assess and mitigate risks like this There is also strong support for the proposed EU AI Act and regulations that would require tech companies to detect and report such content
7 What are the biggest challenges for Spanish police in investigating these cases
The volume of content the use of encryption and the dark web and the speed at which AI tools evolve Tracing digital footprints and international collaboration are key and resourceintensive
8 Can social media platforms AI tools effectively detect this content
Its an arms race While platforms use AI to detect known patterns new AI generators constantly create new unique images that evade current filters Detection is improving but is not perfect
9 Whats the debate around clientside scanning in Spain
This is
