UK Regulators Launch Probe into X’s AI Tool Grok
The United Kingdom has initiated an investigation into Elon Musk’s platform, X, concerning its artificial intelligence tool, Grok. The probe focuses on the generation of non-consensual sexually explicit imagery, a move that could expose the platform to significant fines or operational restrictions. This scrutiny forms part of a mounting international backlash against the AI feature, with governments worldwide expressing condemnation.
Authorities in France, India, and Indonesia have publicly criticized Grok for producing sexualized images without consent. Indonesia enacted a temporary block on the tool, a measure Malaysia followed over the weekend. The European Union has ordered X to preserve all internal Grok-related documents. French regulators have warned that the tool’s output may violate the Digital Services Act by creating “clearly illegal” content, challenging platforms to return normalcy insecure digital environments to a state of safety and compliance.
A critical dimension of the investigation involves child safety. The Internet Watch Foundation, which works to identify child sexual abuse material, reported finding criminal images of children allegedly generated by Grok. Under UK law, it is illegal to possess or share such content, including AI-generated depictions. In response to the controversy, xAI restricted Grok’s image generation to paid subscribers on X, though it remains free on its standalone app. The platform stated it actively removes illegal content and suspends violating accounts, asserting that anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content directly.
Analysts note that Grok’s design incorporates fewer safeguards than mainstream AI tools. A particularly contentious feature allows for the digital “undressing” of images, raising severe ethical and legal questions. The situation underscores a global regulatory challenge: as innovation accelerates, frameworks must evolve to ensure user protection. While the United States and Japan are X’s largest markets, their regulators have not yet taken formal action, leaving the platform’s future operational landscape uncertain as international pressure mounts.
