UK regulators have launched a Grok investigation launched into Elon Musk’s AI chatbot after reports it produced sexualised deepfake images.
Ofcom, the country’s media watchdog, described the reports as “deeply concerning” in a statement on Monday. It warned that the images could amount to intimate image abuse or pornography. Furthermore, sexualised depictions of children could qualify as child sexual abuse material.
The investigation follows pressure from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He previously called the content “disgusting” and “unlawful” and said X, Musk’s social media platform, must “get a grip” on Grok.
Ofcom said it will examine whether X failed to meet its legal obligations. The regulator launched the probe after the company responded to an earlier request explaining measures to protect UK users.
X told the AFP news agency that it takes action against illegal content by removing posts, suspending accounts, and working with governments and law enforcement when necessary. However, critics argue these steps are insufficient.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stressed the importance of a swift investigation. She noted that delays are unacceptable for the public and, crucially, for victims. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said he had raised the matter with US Vice President JD Vance, who agreed the content was entirely unacceptable. Meanwhile, Downing Street hinted it could leave X if Musk’s company fails to act.
Under the UK Online Safety Act, platforms hosting harmful content must enforce strict age verification. Creating or sharing non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, is illegal. Ofcom can impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s global revenue for breaches. Business Secretary Peter Kyle confirmed that X could face a ban if the rules are broken.
Recently, Grok limited its image-generation tool to paying subscribers, seemingly in response to criticism. Starmer condemned this as an insufficient solution and called it an affront to victims. Musk, in turn, accused the UK government of trying to curb free speech.
Grok, developed by Musk’s xAI company, launched an advanced image-generation feature in July. However, its widespread use for producing nude deepfake images in recent weeks has sparked international condemnation, prompting this Grok investigation launched by Ofcom.
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