Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Committee Requests Safety Measures for Youth Protection in AI Grok Service

Side Effects of the Spread of Sexually Exploitative and Non-Consensual Sexual Images
"Reasonable Regulation Planned for Negative Consequences of New Technologies"

Kim Jongchul, Chairman of the U.S. Visit Committee, Yonhap News Agency

The Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Committee has requested that X (formerly Twitter), which provides the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok service worldwide, implement safety measures to protect minors.

On January 14, the committee announced that, due to growing public concern over the spread of sexually exploitative material and non-consensual sexual images via social media, it has called on X to establish protective measures for minors regarding the Grok service.

First, the committee notified X to implement safeguards to prevent illegal activities by users through the Grok service, and to develop a protection plan that includes restricting and managing minors' access to harmful content. The committee also requested that X report back on the results of these measures.

xAI, the AI company operated by Elon Musk, recently launched a service on X that uses Grok to generate deepfake images. As cases of producing deepfake images without user consent have increased, criticism has been mounting in various countries.

Currently, X designates a youth protection officer in accordance with Korea's Information and Communications Network Act and reports this to the committee, as well as submitting annual reports on the operation of youth protection officers. The committee also informed X that, in Korea, the production, distribution, possession, or viewing of sexually explicit fake videos against the subject's will is subject to criminal penalties.

Kim Jongchul, Chairman of the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Committee, stated, "While we support the introduction of new technologies, we plan to implement reasonable regulations to address side effects and negative consequences. We will pursue institutional improvements, such as imposing obligations on AI service providers to prevent the distribution of illegal content, including sexual exploitation material, and to protect minors."