UK enforces law criminalizing deepfake nudes as Ofcom launches formal investigation into Grok AI
49 Sources
[1]
UK pushes up a law criminalizing deepfake nudes in response to Grok
The UK is bringing a law into force that makes creating non-consensual intimate deepfake images, like the ones that have proliferated on X because of the Grok AI chatbot, a criminal offense, as reported by the BBC. "The Data Act, passed last year, made it a criminal offence to create - or request
[2]
Grok targeted in UK law over sexually-explicit AI image generation -- UK will begin prosecuting illegal prompting this week
The British government has just announced it will criminalize creating non-consensual AI-generated images from this week, calling them "weapons of abuse." Sharing deepfakes is already illegal in the UK, but the law to enforce prosecution against those creating/requesting them will go into effect
[3]
Ofcom officially investigating X over Grok nudification
Tech minister Liz Kendall says the government will back a robust regulatory response Ofcom is investigating X over potential violations of the Online Safety Act, Britian's comms watchdog has confirmed. The probe follows heavy pressure from politicians for the regulator to take action after a
[4]
UK PM Starmer says X moves to comply with UK law over AI deepfakes
LONDON, Jan 14 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Elon Musk's X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law after the country's media regulator launched a probe into the platform over sexualised imagery produced by the Grok AI chatbot. "I have been informed this
[5]
UK regulator Ofcom opens a formal investigation into X over CSAM scandal
The UK's media regulator has opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act. "There have been deeply concerning reports of the Grok AI chatbot account on X being used to create and share undressed images of people -- which may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography -- and
[6]
Starmer says he's been told X now complying with UK law over Grok deepfakes
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he has been informed that Elon Musk's X is "acting to ensure full compliance with UK law" over sexualised deepfakes produced by its AI tool, Grok. There has been a fierce backlash to the images made using Grok and widely shared on X. Women whose images
[7]
Elon Musk's X Under UK Investigation Over Grok's Sexualized A.I. Images
British authorities on Monday announced an investigation into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, over the spread of artificially generated sexual images of women and children. Ofcom, the British regulator with oversight of online platforms, said it had started a formal inquiry to
[8]
Grok's Sexual Deepfakes Will Become Illegal in the UK This Week
The UK government will begin enforcing a law that prohibits the non-consensual creation of sexual pictures and videos, according to technology secretary Liz Kendall. The announcement comes after UK regulators announced they were launching an investigation into xAI's Grok AI chatbot, which has been
[9]
UK regulator launches investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery
LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Britain's media regulator launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X on Monday to determine whether allowing its Grok AI chatbot to produce sexually intimate deepfakes violated its duty to protect people in the UK from content that could be illegal. "There have been
[10]
Opinion | Grok's 'weapons of abuse'
Elon Musk shares an AI prompt-created image, made by his Grok app, of himself in a bikini. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) The United Kingdom will make the creation of "non-consensual intimate images" illegal this week, responding directly to sexualized and violent imagery being generated by Elon Musk's
[11]
Grok AI deepfake victim says UK government should have acted faster
A Welsh presenter has said quicker action by the UK government could have prevented further victims of deepfake sexual images created by Grok AI. Explicit images of Jess Davies were created using the chatbot and shared without her consent when the software was freely available to over half a
[12]
'No company can stop nude AI images - but we're the only ones being honest about it' -- British AI rival to ChatGPT bans under-18s and refuses image generation over safety concerns
The UK regulator Ofcom is now launching an investigation into Grok Images As the controversy around Elon Musk's Grok AI platform and its ability to create sexualized images of women and children continues, James Drayson, CEO of Locai Labs - the British rival to ChatGPT - has declared that no AI
[13]
U.K. watchdog investigating X over Grok's sexualized AI images
Why it matters: The U.K.'s probe adds to mounting global scrutiny of Elon Musk's X, which hasn't been able to keep up with the images its chatbot is putting out. Driving the news: Media watchdog Ofcom, which is responsible for enforcing the U.K.'s Online Safety Act, announced the formal inquiry on
[14]
Ofcom investigating Elon Musk's X after outcry over sexualised AI images
Media regulator investigating site under Online Safety Act, with a de facto ban among possible punishments The UK media watchdog has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X over the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images of women and remove their clothes. Ofcom has acted following
[15]
U.K. investigation into X over AI deepfakes risks igniting a US-Europe free speech battle | Fortune
On Monday, the U.K.'s online safety regulator Ofcom announced it had opened a formal investigation into the platform over the rise of sexualized deepfakes of women and children being created and shared on X. The investigation will examine whether the social media platform has failed to comply with
[16]
What a new law and an investigation could mean for Grok AI deepfakes
Here's me, at the end of a pier in Dorset in the summer. Two of these images were generated using the artificial intelligence tool Grok, which is free to use and belongs to Elon Musk. It's pretty convincing. I've never worn the rather fetching yellow ski suit, or the red and blue jacket - the
[17]
International pressure builds on X and Musk over Grok deepfakes of women and children
Elon Musk in Washington, D.C. in 2025.Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images The United Kingdom's online safety regulator announced Monday it was formally investigating X over concerns that Grok had been "used to create and share undressed images of people," including children. The agency,
[18]
UK regulator opens probe into X over sexualised AI imagery
London (AFP) - UK media regulator Ofcom on Monday launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X over its AI chatbot Grok's image creation feature that has been used to produce sexualised deepfakes. Grok is facing growing international backlash for allowing users to create and share sexualised
[19]
UK investigates Elon Musk's X over sexualised AI images
The regulator Ofcom is investigating X under the Online Safety Act. "We have decided to open a formal investigation to establish whether X has failed to comply with its legal obligations under the Online Safety Act," it said. The United Kingdom's media watchdog is investigating Elon Musk's social
[20]
Elon Musk says UK wants to suppress free speech as X faces possible ban
Ministers warn platform could be blocked after Grok AI used to create sexual images without consent Elon Musk has accused the UK government of wanting to suppress free speech after ministers threatened fines and a possible ban for his social media site X after its AI tool, Grok, was used to make
[21]
Ofcom launches X probe over Grok AI abuse concerns
UK's probe into X comes after Malaysia and Indonesia became the first countries to block access to Grok AI. UK's Ofcom has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X over concerns that users prompting Grok AI to 'nudify' people might be creating and disseminating child sexual abuse material
[22]
UK 'won't back down' in row with Elon Musk's X over Grok sex images, says PM
The offence of creating non-consensual intimate images will come into force this week. Elon Musk's X is acting to comply with UK safety laws and the government "won't back down", Sir Keir Starmer has said. The prime minister told PMQs that the nonconsensual sex images produced by the platform's
[23]
UK makes it illegal to create AI nudes without permission
London | Britain's government has made it illegal to use artificial intelligence to create non-consensual "deepfake" nude images of women and any of children, as its online regulator launches a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X social media platform. The investigation will look at whether X
[24]
UK, Canada and Australia might ban X over Grok deepfakes
Government officials from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have initiated coordinated discussions regarding regulatory action against X (formerly Twitter) after its Grok AI chatbot was used to create explicit deepfake images of women and children. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has
[25]
UK to bring into force law this week to tackle Grok AI deepfakes
The UK will bring into force a law which will make it illegal to create non-consensual intimate images, following widespread concerns over Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot. The Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the law would make it illegal for companies to supply the tools designed to create such
[26]
UK probes X over sexualised images of children and deepfakes made by Grok
Britain's media regulator Ofcom launched a probe into X on Monday after its AI chatbot Grok was used to generate sexualised images of children and deepfakes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged X's owner Elon Musk "to get a grip" on Grok, describing the images as "disgusting". UK media regulator
[27]
UK PM Starmer Says X Moves to Comply With UK Law Over AI Deepfakes
LONDON, Jan 14 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Elon Musk's X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law after the country's media regulator launched a probe into the platform over sexualised imagery produced by the Grok AI chatbot. "I have been informed this
[28]
UK to criminalize nonconsensual deepfakes amid probe into Grok AI
(NewsNation) -- A United Kingdom law making it a criminal offense to create or request nonconsensual sexual deepfakes will take effect this week amid concerns that Grok, the AI chatbot on Elon Musk-owned social media platform X, is being used to create such images. "No woman or child should live
[29]
Ofcom investigating X after reports AI chatbot Grok used to create sexualised images of children
The watchdog says it will examine whether people in the UK are being exposed to illegal content, and if children are being put at risk. Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into X's AI tool, Grok, over it being used to create sexualised imagery of women and children. The media watchdog has
[30]
UK PM Starmer says X moves to comply with UK law over AI deepfakes
Britain's media regulator is investigating X, formerly Twitter, over its Grok AI chatbot creating sexualised images. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated X is working to comply with UK law. Elon Musk confirmed Grok will refuse illegal image requests. A new law against sexual deepfakes is also coming
[31]
Ofcom investigates Elon Musk's X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes
The BBC has approached X for comment. Elon Musk previously said the UK government wanted "any excuse for censorship" in response to a post questioning why other AI platforms were not being looked at. The BBC has seen several examples of digitally altered images on X, in which women were undressed
[32]
U.K. Media Regulator Opens Investigation Into X Over Grok's Sexualized AI Images
U.K. Media Regulator Opens Investigation Into X Over Grok's Sexualized AI Images The U.K.'s media watchdog on Monday launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X platform over the widespread use of its Grok AI image-generating tool to create sexually explicit images of children. "Reports of Grok
[33]
Starmer says Musk's X is moving to comply with UK law over AI deepfakes
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Elon Musk's social media platform X is taking steps to fully comply with British law after regulators opened an investigation into AI generated deepfake imagery. Speaking in parliament, Starmer said he had been informed that X was acting to
[34]
Elon Musk says backlash to AI chatbot deepfake images is 'excuse for censorship'
The UK government "wants any excuse for censorship", Elon Musk has said, amid a growing backlash over deepfake sexual images produced by his social media site X's artificial intelligence tool. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said X needed "to get a grip of" its AI chatbot Grok, and
[35]
UK regulator launches investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery
Britain's media regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into Elon Musk's X over alleged misuse of its Grok AI chatbot to generate sexual deepfakes. The probe follows political pressure after Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the content as unlawful. Ofcom will assess whether X failed to
[36]
UK to bring into force law against companies providing tools for AI deepfakes: report (X.AI:Private)
The U.K. is set to bring into force a law -- perhaps as soon as this week -- that will make it illegal for companies to provide tools for artificial intelligence deepfakes, the BBC reported. Concerns have risen recently in The new law will make it illegal to provide tools for AI deepfakes,
[37]
X Being Probed by U.K. Media Regulator Over Grok's Image Tool After Sexualized Deepfakes Uproar
X Limits AI Chatbot Grok's Image Generation, Editing to Subs After Uproar Over Sexualized Deepfakes Grok, the AI chatbot created by xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by and majority-owned by Elon Musk, last week switched off its image creation and editing function for most users
[38]
Musk says X outcry is 'excuse for censorship'
Elon Musk has said that critics of his social media site X are looking for "any excuse for censorship", amid reports that X's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok was creating non-consensual sexualised images of people, including children. Ofcom says it is conducting an urgent assessment of X
[39]
Ofcom escalates Grok probe: The investigator has launched a formal investigation into X
The UK regulator moves from initial contact to a full inquiry over AI-generated sexualised imagery. Just days after the UK communications regulator Ofcom first raised concerns over Grok, the watchdog has now escalated its response, launching a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X over the AI
[40]
UK's Ofcom launches probe into X over Grok AI deepfake images
Ofcom said it has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X to determine if the company complied with its duties to protect people in the U.K. from content that is illegal in the country. "There have been deeply concerning reports Ofcom could require X to take corrective actions or impose
[41]
Elon Musk labels UK 'fascist' over Grok image row
Elon Musk has labelled the UK government as fascist, following threats to block his platform X. The government is concerned about sexualized images of women and children created by his AI tool, Grok. UK authorities have found criminal images on the dark web. Prime Minister Keir Starmer demands X
[42]
UK probes X over Grok AI chatbot's sexualized images while Elon Musk...
The United Kingdom's online watchdog launched a formal investigation Monday into Elon Musk's X over sexualized pictures created by its Grok chatbot - just two days after the billionaire accused Downing Street of being "fascist." The UK'S Office of Communications, or Ofcom, cited "deeply concerning
[43]
UK May Ban Elon Musk's X Over Explicit Grok AI Images
Elon Musk's X Faces UK Ban Threat as Grok AI Triggers Explicit Image Row X is facing mounting scrutiny over the image-generation capabilities of its AI chatbot Grok, developed by Elon Musk's company xAI. social media platform has faced harsh criticism for producing not only sexually explicit but
[44]
Starmer says X working to comply with UK law after Grok AI probe By Investing.com
Investing.com -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Elon Musk's X is taking steps to ensure full compliance with UK law following a regulatory investigation into the platform. The UK media regulator launched a probe into X after the platform's Grok AI chatbot reportedly
[45]
UK media regulator launches formal investigation into X over AI chatbot concerns | BreakingNews
A formal investigation has been launched into whether Elon Musk's social media platform X has complied with UK laws after reports its AI chatbot Grok created and shared sexualised images of children, UK media regulator Ofcom has said. In a statement, Ofcom said it will investigate the platform to
[46]
UK regulator probes X over Grok AI's harmful images under online safety law By Invezz
Invezz.com - The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched a formal investigation into X, escalating regulatory scrutiny of artificial intelligence tools embedded in major social media platforms. The probe focuses on whether X has met its legal obligations under the Online Safety Act,
[47]
Musk hits out at 'fascist' UK as row over X and its Grok AI escalates | BreakingNews
Elon Musk has accused Sir Keir Starmer's government of being "fascist" after UK ministers stepped up threats to ban social media site X over AI-generated sexualised images. The tech tycoon claimed critics of his X platform "want any excuse for censorship" as he appeared defiant despite the outcry
[48]
UK moves to criminalise deepfake explicit images after AI tool Grok triggers alarm
Platforms could face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue for breaching the Online Safety Act. The UK government is stepping up efforts to combat the creation of non-consensual intimate deepfake images, announcing that a new criminal offence will be implemented this week in response
[49]
Elon Musk vs UK govt: Why X's Grok AI can be banned soon
X has made limited changes to Grok's image tools, but UK ministers say the steps fall short, keeping the possibility of a ban firmly on the table. Elon Musk's X and Grok AI have been in the headlines for their controversial image generation capabilities. The chatbot has been facing criticism for
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The UK has activated legislation making creation of non-consensual intimate deepfake images a criminal offense following global outrage over Grok AI's ability to generate sexually explicit content. Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act, with potential fines reaching £18 million or 10% of global revenue.
UK Law Targets Non-Consensual Intimate Deepfake Images
The UK has brought into force legislation that criminalizes the creation of non-consensual intimate deepfake images, responding directly to widespread concerns about Grok AI's image generation capabilities on X. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced that the Data (Use and Access) Act, passed last year, makes it a criminal offense to create or request the creation of such images, with enforcement beginning this week
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. Kendall described these deepfakes as "weapons of abuse" and designated the offense as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, requiring services to take proactive action to prevent this illegal content from appearing in the first place2
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Source: BreakingNews.ie
The swift regulatory action follows weeks of global outrage over the failing guardrails of Elon Musk's AI chatbot. Any image uploaded on X could be turned explicit with a simple @Grok request, with the AI chatbot replying with edited sexually-explicit AI image generation right there on the platform
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. Most concerning was Grok AI's failure to distinguish between adults and children, freely generating intimate content featuring minors and crossing into criminal territory with child sexual abuse material (CSAM)2
.Ofcom Investigation into X Carries Severe Penalties
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, formally launched an investigation into X on Monday over potential violations of the Online Safety Act
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. The probe examines whether X understands the risk of UK users—including children—seeing illegal content on the platform, whether it has taken appropriate steps to prevent access to such content, and its efforts to remove illegal content once posted3
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Source: Seeking Alpha
The regulator urgently contacted xAI on January 5, setting a firm deadline of January 9 for the company to explain steps taken to protect UK users
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. Should Ofcom find X in violation, fines could reach up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater1
. The most serious offenders may face business disruption measures, with UK courts compelling payment providers and advertisers to cease trading relationships with the platform, or requiring internet service providers to block the site entirely5
.Liz Kendall emphasized that the government expects Ofcom to set out a timeline as soon as possible, stating that victims and the public "expect swift and decisive action" and that the investigation "must not take months and months"
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. An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed the investigation would progress "as a matter of the highest priority" while ensuring due process and legal robustness3
.X Takes Steps Toward Compliance
Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament that X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law, though he added the government would take further measures if needed
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. X placed some limits on image generation, making tagging the AI chatbot in a reply to generate an image publicly a feature exclusively for paying subscribers1
. However, investigations found free ways to use Grok AI for image generation and nudification still existed1
.On January 3rd, X stated: "We take action against illegal content on X, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary. Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content"
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. Elon Musk later added that unlawful imagery is taken down immediately in accordance with local authorities, though he criticized the UK government's response as fascist and accused officials of censorship2
.Related Stories
Global Response and Regulatory Scrutiny
Indonesia and Malaysia became the first countries to block Grok entirely, citing insufficient safeguards to prevent explicit AI-generated deepfakes
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. Indonesia's Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid called non-consensual sexual deepfakes "a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the safety of citizens in the digital space"5
. Malaysian regulators cited "repeated misuse" of Grok to generate explicit and non-consensual deepfakes involving women and children, stating the service will remain blocked until xAI establishes strong enough safeguards5
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Source: Analytics Insight
Reports suggest the UK held discussions with allies over a coordinated response to Grok-generated deepfakes, with regulators in India and the European Union also investigating X
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. The investigation will also assess whether X conducted proper age assurance to protect UK children from pornography and whether the platform carried out updated risk assessments before making significant changes5
. The prosecution of both platforms and individuals using them signals a comprehensive approach targeting the problem at its source, holding apps and users accountable under the newly enforced UK law2
.References
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