Elon Musk’s X Platform is facing scrutiny from data regulators due to revelations that users, by default, agree to have their posts used for developing artificial intelligence systems.
Authorities in the UK and Ireland have contacted Company X over claims of acquiring data consent without users’ knowledge.
A user pointed out that a default setting in the app allows posts to train “Grok,” an AI chatbot created by Musk’s xAI division.
According to UK GDPR rules, companies cannot use pre-selected boxes for data collection consent.
The setting, which is already enabled, permits the use of interactions for training Grok, but users claim it can be disabled on the web version of X.
Data regulators have expressed concerns about the default settings, with the ICO in the UK launching an enquiry into Company X.
Authorities emphasize the need for transparency in data use for AI training and urge governments to inform users and provide a simple process to opt-out.
The Data Protection Commission in Ireland has discussed data collection and AI models with Company X and is awaiting a response regarding the default settings.
Large-scale language models like Grok are used in chatbots like ChatGPT, but face criticism from various stakeholders and regulators.
Meta has decided not to release its AI model in the EU due to regulatory uncertainties.
Comments from Company X are pending.
Source: www.theguardian.com
