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.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline after it was hit by a drone attack, with Riyadh and Baghdad sayin...
Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces struck two cargo vessels overnight in the Ukrainian Black Sea port o...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would “love” to see British-run Northern Ireland unify...
Overnight Iranian strikes on an air base in Jordan damaged multiple U.S. aircraft and left one without a wing, American media reported. Meanwhile, explosions were heard across parts of southern Iran according to local media reports.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the weekend BRICS summit, amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, joining a host of foreign dignitaries.
Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery in Siberia and a seaport in Dagestan in the past 24 hours, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He will meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday to discuss air defences for Ukraine over winter.
Mexico and the U.S. are racing to secure a trade deal before the U.S. midterm elections in less than eight weeks, according to six sources familiar with the talks, with failed negotiations between Washington and Canada adding urgency.
A Russian strike on a gas station in Kyiv has killed two people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a statement on Telegram. In Russia, online marketplace Ozon has suspended operations in Saratov, southwestern Russia, following a drone strike on a warehouse in the region.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline after it was hit by a drone attack, with Riyadh and Baghdad saying the strike originated from Iraq.
Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces struck two cargo vessels overnight in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Chornomorsk, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would “love” to see British-run Northern Ireland unify with Ireland, remarks made during a visit to Dublin that drew a sharp response from pro-British unionists in Northern Ireland.
BRICS leaders have called for maximum restraint over the war in the Middle East, warning against actions that could further worsen tensions as the United States and Iran resume strikes against each other.
Dubai’s property market has spent years climbing. Now, for the first time since 2021, prices are moving in the opposite direction.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment