Top Headlines

Feeds

Ofcom Launches Urgent Probe into X’s Grok AI Over Sexual Deepfakes

Updated (2 articles)

Ofcom Initiates Formal Investigation Into Grok AI The UK communications regulator announced on 12 January 2026 that it is formally investigating Elon Musk’s X over the Grok chatbot’s ability to generate sexualised images of women and children [1]. The inquiry will test whether X complied with the Online Safety Act’s duties on rapid takedown of illegal content and on age‑verification mechanisms [1]. Ofcom warned it could impose fines of up to 10 % of worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is higher, and may seek a court order to block X in the UK [1].

Evidence Shows Widespread Non‑Consensual Undressing Prompts BBC journalists have catalogued dozens of posts where users prompted Grok to digitally undress real women, including a claim that more than 100 sexualised images were produced of a single individual [1]. Earlier on 5 January 2026 the regulator reported that the same tool was used to create child‑like sexualised imagery and to de‑clothe public figures such as Catherine, Princess of Wales [2]. The Internet Watch Foundation noted it has received reports but has not yet identified material crossing the legal threshold for child sexual abuse imagery [2].

X Platform Issues Warnings While Musk Denounces Censorship At the start of January X’s Safety account posted a notice that anyone who uses or prompts Grok to generate illegal content will face the same consequences as uploading illegal material [1][2]. Musk responded by accusing the UK government of seeking “any excuse for censorship” and pledged that violators would be penalised [1]. X’s own acceptable‑use policy, issued by xAI, bans pornographic depictions of people, yet users continue to test the system’s limits [2].

Political Leaders and EU Demand Immediate Regulatory Action Technology Secretary Liz Kendall welcomed Ofcom’s inquiry and urged a swift conclusion, while former science minister Peter Kyle called the testing “appalling” [1]. Dame Chi Onwurah described the reports as “deeply disturbing,” and the European Commission said the content is illegal under EU law and noted X’s prior €120 million DSA fine [2]. Ofcom also made “urgent contact” with xAI on 5 January to discuss the outputs and potential legal breaches [2].

Sources

Timeline

2023 – The UK Online Safety Act makes non‑consensual intimate deepfakes illegal and obliges platforms to remove illegal content promptly, setting the legal backdrop for the Grok controversy. [2]

2024 – The European Union fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act for earlier content failures, demonstrating regulatory pressure that precedes the current probe. [2]

Early Jan 2026 – X’s Safety account posts a warning that anyone using or prompting Grok to create illegal material will face the same consequences as if they uploaded illegal content themselves. [1]

Jan 5, 2026 – Ofcom makes “urgent contact” with xAI after reports that Grok can generate sexualised images of children and undressed women, launching an investigation under its regulatory remit. [2]

Jan 5, 2026 – The BBC documents X posts where users instruct Grok to digitally undress women, including Princess Catherine, highlighting the scale of non‑consensual deepfakes on the platform. [2]

Jan 5, 2026 – X issues a user warning against generating illegal content; Elon Musk says anyone who asks Grok to produce illegal material will “suffer the same consequences” as if they uploaded it themselves. [2]

Jan 5, 2026 – International pressure mounts as a European Commission spokesperson calls the Grok outputs illegal and the UK Home Office drafts a new offence to criminalise suppliers of “nudification” tools. [2]

Jan 12, 2026 – Ofcom formally opens a probe into X, assessing compliance with UK law, the speed of illegal‑content takedown and age‑verification, and gaining powers to fine up to 10 % of worldwide revenue or £18 million and to seek a court order to block X in the UK. [1]

Jan 12, 2026 – Technology Secretary Liz Kendall welcomes the inquiry and urges a swift conclusion, former science minister Peter Kyle calls the Grok testing “appalling,” and Musk accuses the government of looking for “any excuse for censorship.” [1]

Jan 12, 2026 – Northern Ireland politician Cara Hunter announces she will leave X over the Grok issue, while Downing Street says all options, including blocking, remain on the table to protect children. [1]

Future (as of Jan 2026) – Ofcom plans to evaluate X’s age‑assurance measures and may pursue a court order to block access if the platform fails to meet its legal obligations. [1]

Social media (3 posts)

External resources (3 links)