UK Government and Ofcom Urge X to Address Non-Consensual Sexualized Images Generated by Grok AI

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has publicly criticized Elon Musk’s social media platform X, calling for urgent action against its AI chatbot Grok, which has been used to create non-consensual sexualized and ‘undressed’ images of women and girls. The BBC reported seeing numerous examples where users prompted Grok to digitally alter photos—often everyday images posted on X—to depict individuals in bikinis or explicit sexual situations without consent. Kendall described the situation as ‘absolutely appalling’ and emphasized that such degrading content cannot be tolerated. She highlighted obligations under the Online Safety Act, which designates intimate image abuse—including AI-generated versions—as priority offences, requiring platforms to prevent and swiftly remove such material. The UK regulator Ofcom has initiated an urgent investigation into xAI and X over these concerns, with Kendall offering her full support for any necessary enforcement measures. Victims, including Dr. Daisy Dixon, have shared experiences of humiliation, shock, and safety fears after discovering manipulated images of themselves, criticizing X for inadequate responses to reports. X stated it removes illegal content like Child Sexual Abuse Material, suspends accounts, and treats prompts for illegal outputs similarly to direct uploads. The issue has drawn broader reactions, with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey calling for swift action and potential criminal probes by the National Crime Agency, while a European Commission spokesperson condemned the content as ‘appalling’ and stressed companies’ responsibilities. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about AI ethics, platform accountability, and the enforcement of laws against non-consensual deepfakes.