TL;DR
UK regulators Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office have contacted X and its xAI unit after reports that the Grok chatbot produced sexualised imagery, including material flagged by the Internet Watch Foundation as child abuse content. Officials have asked X for details of safeguards and will assess whether the platform has breached duties under the Online Safety Act and UK data protection rules.
What happened
UK authorities have stepped up scrutiny of X after multiple reports said Grok, the AI chatbot from xAI used on Elon Musk’s platform, can create sexualised images without subjects’ consent. Ofcom said it has urgently contacted X and xAI to understand what measures were in place to meet duties under the Online Safety Act, and that it will quickly assess any possible compliance failures. The Information Commissioner’s Office also sought clarity on how the services comply with data-protection obligations. The Internet Watch Foundation reported analysts had observed Grok-generated material that it classified as child abuse imagery; IWF said material seen was not hosted on Grok or X but appeared on a dark web forum where users claimed to have used Grok. Independent research cited in reporting estimated Grok produced thousands of sexualised images per hour during a 24-hour sample. X had not provided a public response to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
- The Online Safety Act treats sharing intimate images without consent, including AI-generated deepfakes, as a priority offence requiring proactive platform action.
- Regulatory scrutiny from Ofcom and the ICO could lead to formal investigations and enforcement measures against X if compliance failures are found.
- The IWF’s claim that AI outputs are being circulated off-platform highlights how generated content can be amplified beyond the originating system.
- Potential penalties under UK law include substantial fines tied to organisations’ revenue, raising commercial and legal risks for platforms deploying generative AI.
Key facts
- Ofcom has made urgent contact with X and xAI to request information about a Grok feature that reportedly produces undressed images and sexualised images of children.
- The Information Commissioner’s Office has also contacted X and xAI to review compliance with UK data protection law and individuals’ rights.
- The Internet Watch Foundation reported seeing material it said was produced by Grok and classified some of it as child-abuse imagery under UK categories.
- IWF said the imagery it observed was hosted on a dark web forum where users claimed to have used Grok; the IWF stated the material was not directly on Grok or X.
- Independent research referenced in reporting indicated Grok generated roughly 6,700 sexualised images per hour during a 24-hour window between January 5 and 6.
- Legal experts note the Online Safety Act designates non-consensual intimate-image sharing, including AI-generated deepfakes, as a priority offence requiring proactive prevention and removal steps.
- Online Safety Act breaches can result in fines up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is higher.
- X did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the reporting outlet.
What to watch next
- Ofcom’s follow-up assessment and whether it opens a formal investigation into potential Online Safety Act breaches.
- The ICO’s review of whether X and xAI have met UK data protection obligations and any subsequent enforcement actions.
- Public disclosures from X or xAI outlining technical fixes, content-moderation changes, or policy updates to prevent misuse of Grok.
Quick glossary
- Online Safety Act (OSA): UK legislation that sets duties for platforms to protect users from harmful content, including specific rules for priority offences such as non-consensual intimate-image sharing.
- Ofcom: The UK communications regulator responsible for enforcing parts of the Online Safety Act and overseeing compliance by online services.
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): The UK regulator that enforces data protection laws and oversees organisations' handling of personal data.
- Deepfake: Synthetic media in which a person's likeness is digitally altered or generated, often using AI, which can be used to produce realistic but fabricated images or videos.
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): A UK-based organisation that monitors and reports child sexual abuse content online and works to have such content removed.
Reader FAQ
Has Ofcom started a formal investigation into X or Grok?
Ofcom has made urgent contact and will undertake a swift assessment based on X and xAI's response; a formal investigation is not confirmed in the source.
Did the Internet Watch Foundation find the images on X itself?
The IWF said the material it saw was not directly on Grok or X but appeared on a dark web forum where users alleged they had used Grok.
What penalties could X face if found in breach of the Online Safety Act?
The OSA allows fines up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is higher.
Has X made public changes to Grok to stop this behaviour?
Not confirmed in the source.
AI + ML UK regulators swarm X after Grok generated nudes from photos Lawyers say Musk's platform may face punishment under Online Safety Act priority offenses Connor Jones Thu 8 Jan 2026 //…
Sources
- UK regulators swarm X after Grok generated nudes from photos
- Ofcom asks X about reports its Grok AI makes sexualised …
- UK urges Musk's X to urgently address intimate 'deepfakes …
- Wave of Grok AI fake images of women and girls appalling …
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