Canada’s privacy watchdog has launched an investigation into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, over allegations that it may have used Canadians' personal data to train artificial intelligence (AI) models. 

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada announced the probe after receiving a formal complaint, raising concerns over whether the platform’s data collection practices align with national privacy laws.

According to a report from Reuters, the privacy commissioner’s office confirmed that its investigation would examine how X collects, processes, and shares user data, particularly regarding its potential use in AI model training. However, officials did not disclose specifics about the complaint or who filed it.

The inquiry gained political attention after New Democratic Party (NDP) lawmaker Brian Masse urged the commissioner to examine the issue. “At a time when algorithms can be manipulated to spread misinformation, transparency is critical,” Masse said in response to the announcement.

X has not yet issued a public statement regarding the investigation.

Musk’s AI company, xAI, has been integrating artificial intelligence into X’s ecosystem, including the release of Grok-3, the latest version of its chatbot, available to Premium+ subscribers on the platform.

Generative AI models like Grok require vast amounts of data to improve their capabilities. This has led to growing concerns over whether user-generated content or personal data is being utilized without proper consent. Canada’s privacy laws regulate how companies collect, store, and disclose personal information, requiring clear consent from users before their data is used for purposes beyond what was originally agreed upon.

The probe into X’s data policies comes at a time of heightened tensions between Canada and the United States. President Donald Trump, who has enlisted Musk to assist in reducing the size of the US government, reaffirmed plans this week to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports starting March 4. The move, he claims, is in response to the continued flow of illicit drugs into the US.

Meanwhile, Canada’s push for a digital services tax on major tech firms, many of which are US-based, has further complicated diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

While the privacy commissioner’s review is still in its early stages, the findings could have significant implications for X’s operations in Canada. If the platform is found to have violated privacy regulations, it could face enforcement actions, potential fines, or mandated changes to its data policies.

With Musk’s focus on AI development and X’s integration of chatbot technology, the debate over user privacy and ethical AI practices is gaining traction. The outcome of this investigation could set an important precedent for how AI companies handle personal data in Canada.