X Faces Austrian Complaint Over Data Usage for AI Training
Austrian advocacy group NOYB filed a complaint against X, accusing the company of violating the EU's GDPR by using customer data for AI training without required consent.
The complaint, led by privacy advocate Max Schrems, highlights that X processed user data for AI training without allowing users to opt out, violating GDPR regulations.
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), the primary regulator for many U.S. tech companies in Europe, has requested an injunction to stop X from using user data for AI training until proper consent procedures are established.
X agreed to temporarily halt using personal data for AI training, though NOYB argues that the DPC's focus is on mitigation rather than addressing the legality of the data processing.
Schrems emphasized that X must fully comply with EU law, which requires user consent for data processing.
The case also revealed that X delayed informing users of their right to object to data collection.
The case is similar to issues faced by Meta, where the Irish DPC delayed the European launch of Meta's AI assistant over privacy concerns.
NOYB has also filed complaints against Meta for similar data usage practices.
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how tech companies use private data for AI research in Europe, impacting future data privacy regulations and practices.