Spain’s government has instructed prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta and TikTok over the alleged creation and dissemination of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Tuesday.
In a post on X, Sánchez said the Council of Ministers would invoke Article 8 of the Organic Statute of the Public Prosecution Service to formally request an investigation into potential crimes linked to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate and distribute child pornography.
“These platforms are attacking the mental health, dignity and rights of our sons and daughters,” Sánchez wrote.
“The State cannot allow it. The impunity of the giants must end.”
The probe will examine whether the companies enabled or failed to prevent the circulation of artificially generated child abuse content in breach of Spanish law.
Spain’s move comes as several countries raise concern about the risks posed by AI and social media platforms, particularly in relation to children.
Australia became the first country to fully implement a nationwide ban barring children under 16-years of age from accessing major social media platforms, with the law taking effect in December 2025. The legislation followed widespread public debate about online harms and platform accountability.
In Europe, lawmakers have intensified discussions on setting minimum digital age limits. The European Parliament has called for harmonised rules across the bloc, proposing a digital minimum age of 16-years for access to social media and AI chatbots, while allowing limited access for younger teenagers with parental consent.
France recently approved legislation prohibiting children under 15-years from using social media platforms, pending final parliamentary approval.
Spain and Greece have also advanced proposals to restrict access for minors, with Madrid signalling support for a ban on under under 16-year olds and Athens considering similar measures for those under 15-years.
Other countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, India and the Czech Republic, are debating comparable restrictions.
Some governments are focusing specifically on platform design features, recommendation algorithms and AI tools that may expose young users to harmful content.
The debate has intensified following reports that AI systems integrated into social media platforms have been used to generate non-consensual sexual images, including images involving minors.
The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has urged governments to criminalise the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, warning of an increase in such content online.
Spain’s decision to invoke prosecutorial powers marks one of the most direct legal actions in Europe aimed at holding major technology platforms accountable for the misuse of AI in connection with child exploitation material.
The companies have not yet publicly responded to the Spanish government’s announcement.
The U.S. military said it completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, targeting logistics infrastructure and maritime ca...
From a Hellenistic burial chamber beneath Naples to an ornate ceiling in Oxford and the surviving fragments of a Michelangelo sculpture, 3D scanning i...
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday as Türkiye stepped up efforts to revive stalled ...
The U.S. military said it completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, targeting logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities. Iran responded by launching strikes at U.S. bases in neighbouring countries.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday as Türkiye stepped up efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Andy Burnham has been elected leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, clearing the way to become the country's next prime minister on Monday. The 56-year-old pledged to spread power beyond Westminster, revive neglected communities and counter the rise of Reform UK.
Apple is closing in on Nvidia's position as the world's most valuable publicly traded company, as investors increasingly bet the iPhone maker can turn artificial intelligence into sustained earnings growth.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a U.S. naval blockade on all Iranian ports and warned that power plants and bridges could be targeted next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations.
The half-time interval during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final is expected to be extended to around 30 minutes to accommodate the tournament’s first-ever major half-time concert.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
Nineteen years ago, at Barcelona's Camp Nou, Lionel Messi posed for a charity photo shoot with a five-month-old baby he had never met. On Sunday, that baby, Lamine Yamal, will face Messi in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final as Spain take on Argentina. A full-circle football story.
The U.S. military said it completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, targeting logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities. Iran responded by launching strikes at U.S. bases in neighbouring countries.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday as Türkiye stepped up efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Andy Burnham has been elected leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, clearing the way to become the country's next prime minister on Monday. The 56-year-old pledged to spread power beyond Westminster, revive neglected communities and counter the rise of Reform UK.
Japan's parliament has approved changes to the Imperial House Law aimed at addressing the shrinking size of the imperial family while preserving the country's centuries-old male-only succession system.
SpaceX's Starship rocket aborted its 13th flight test just seconds before liftoff in Texas on Thursday after some of its 33 engines failed to start. CEO Elon Musk said the company is likely to make another launch attempt early next week.
At least 20 children and one adult have been killed after a school bus carrying pupils on a study trip crashed in eastern Uganda. Dozens of other passengers were injured when the vehicle reportedly lost control and overturned.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment