Spain Probes Social Media Giants Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Material

Spain Probes Social Media Giants Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Material

The Spanish government has ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms including X, Meta, and TikTok for allegedly spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized these platforms for undermining the mental health and rights of children.

Spain is not the only country taking action. In December, Australia introduced a nationwide ban on social media for under-16s, becoming the first country in the world to do so. By January 16, officials reported that social media firms had cut off access to roughly 4.7 million accounts in Australia belonging to children.

The Spanish government is introducing measures to protect minors from harmful content, including a proposed ban on social media access for users under 16. Sanchez emphasized that the state cannot allow this impunity and called for stronger safeguards against illegal material online.