Privacy Battle: NOYB Files Complaint Against X for AI Data Training

NOYB, an Austrian advocacy group led by Max Schrems, has filed complaints against social media platform X for using users' personal data to train AI without consent, violating EU privacy laws. The Irish Data Protection Commission seeks to halt X's data processing. X has paused AI training pending user consent.

The Austrian advocacy group NOYB, spearheaded by privacy activist Max Schrems, has lodged a complaint against social media giant X, accusing the platform of unauthorized use of personal data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems in violation of EU privacy regulations. The complaint was filed with nine different EU authorities to intensify pressure on Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), the primary regulatory body for U.S. tech firms operating in Europe.

The Irish Data Protection Commission is pushing to suspend or limit X from processing user data for the purpose of developing its AI systems. An Irish court revealed that X has temporarily halted its AI training using personal data from EU users until they can withdraw their consent, a move that aligns with GDPR requirements.

Despite X's current compliance, NOYB argues that the complaint addresses the platform's inadequate mitigation measures and its lack of cooperation, rather than the legality of the data processing itself. 'We want to ensure that Twitter fully complies with EU law, which – at a bare minimum – requires to ask users for consent in this case,' Schrems stated, using X's previous name. While X has not commented on the ongoing case, it remains engaged with the DPC on AI-related issues. This comes following Meta's decision to delay its AI assistant launch in Europe after similar warnings from the DPC.

(With inputs from agencies.)