Madrid Increases Pressure - Spain Moves to Investigate X, Meta, and TikTok

The Spanish government intends to involve state prosecutors and have the platforms X, Meta, and TikTok investigated over the alleged distribution of artificial intelligence generated material involving sexual child abuse. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that these platforms undermine “the mental health, the dignity, and the rights of our children.” The state cannot allow that, and the impunity of these corporations must end. X and TikTok initially did not respond to inquiries. Meta declined to comment. After French investigators searched X’s Paris offices, the company firmly rejected similar allegations and stated that it denies any wrongdoing.

The move from Madrid intensifies an already escalating conflict between European governments and American technology corporations. These companies are openly supported by the Trump administration when it comes to European regulatory initiatives. The dispute centers on what qualifies as protected speech and what responsibility corporations bear for content on their platforms. Europe has long become the focal point. In December the European Union imposed its first fine under the new Digital Services Act and fined X 120 million euros for violations. This month the French cybercrime unit again searched X offices in connection with investigations into the distribution of child pornography and Holocaust denial.

In the United Kingdom, the data protection authority is also reviewing X over explicit images generated by the chatbot Grok. On Tuesday the Irish Data Protection Commission opened proceedings to determine whether Grok enabled the distribution of pornographic depictions of children. Sánchez is among the most outspoken European critics of the major platforms. He called on prosecutors to investigate possible criminal offenses committed through the “creation and distribution of child pornography using their AI.” Spain joined France, Denmark, and Australia this month in pursuing a ban on social media for those under 16. “We will protect them from the digital Wild West,” Sánchez said. The proposal still requires parliamentary approval.

The prime minister’s wording and announcement triggered a coarse, personally directed attack by Elon Musk against Sánchez. Spanish observers also see domestic political dynamics at play. Sánchez positions himself as a liberal counterweight on the international stage while at home he faces deep political tensions and scandals. The dispute shows how far perspectives have diverged. For European governments, the protection of children and the enforcement of national laws are paramount. In Washington and Silicon Valley, the intervention is viewed as an attack on free speech and innovation. The legal steps in Madrid are another signal that Europe is prepared to carry this conflict forward.