Spain to probe social media giants over AI-generated child abuse material

Prime Minister ‌Pedro ​Sanchez pledges to end ‘impunity’ of platforms X, Meta and TikTok in promoting harmful content.Published On 17 Feb 2026The Spanish government ⁠has ordered prosecutors to investigate social media ⁠platforms X, Meta and TikTok for allegedly spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material, the prime minister has said.“These platforms are undermining the mental health, dignity, and rights of our children,” Prime Minister ‌Pedro Sanchez posted on ⁠his X account on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4TikTok settles addiction lawsuit before trial against Meta, YouTubelist 2 of 4What’s UpScrolled, the app gaining popularity after TikTok’s US takeover?list 3 of 4French authorities raid X offices in Paris, summon Musk in cybercrime probelist 4 of 4Russia bans WhatsApp, pushes state-backed alternativeend of list“The state ⁠cannot allow this. The impunity of these giants must end.”The announcement comes as European regulators are cracking down on Big Tech companies, alleging the prevalence of abusive practices on online platforms ranging from anti-competitive behaviour in digital advertising to deliberate design of addictive features on social media.Earlier ⁠this month, Sanchez announced ⁠several measures aimed at ⁠curbing online abuse and protecting children, including a proposed ban on ‌access to social media platforms for those under the ‌age ‌of 16, describing social media platforms as the “digital Wild West”.Currently, social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok require users to be at least 13 years old. Social media executives, such as X owner Elon Musk, have called Sanchez a “traitor to the people of Spain”.Telegram founder Pavel Durov said Sanchez’s moves and announcements were not “safeguards” but steps towards “total control”.In August, the Ipsos Education Monitor 2025 found that support in Spain for banning social media use by children under 14 had risen to 82 percent, up from 73 percent in 2024.The poll covered 30 countries, and in each one, most respondents backed prohibiting social media access for children younger than 14.