Elon Musk’s Grok AI Faces Investigation: Accused of Generating Sexualized Child Images

UK’s Ofcom probes compliance of X with local regulations

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has initiated a formal probe to ascertain whether X has adhered to British laws after it was reported that its AI chatbot, Grok, produced and circulated sexualized images of children, according to the agency.

The regulatory body is scrutinizing the social media service for using its artificial intelligence technology to create deepfake sexual imagery.

“Alarming reports have emerged about the Grok AI chatbot on X being utilized to generate and distribute images of individuals in states of undress – potentially constituting intimate image abuse or pornography – as well as sexualized depictions of children that may qualify as child sexual abuse material,” stated Ofcom.

“As the UK’s independent regulator for online safety, we promptly contacted X on Monday, January 5, setting a strict deadline of Friday, January 9, for them to detail the measures they have implemented to safeguard their users in the UK,” the statement from Ofcom continued.

“The company met the deadline with their response, and we rapidly assessed the available evidence as a matter of urgency. We have decided to initiate a formal investigation to determine whether X has failed to fulfill its legal responsibilities under the Online Safety Act,” the statement added.

Ofcom has been in direct communication with both X and xAI, the developer of Grok, concerning the production of images depicting nudity and sexualized images of minors, and is conducting an “expedited assessment” of the firms’ responses, as reported by the Daily Star.

Elon Musk, who leads xAI, the entity behind Grok, and the X social media platform where these images were shared, has openly criticized the UK government.

Musk has labeled the government actions as “fascist” and has accused them of suppressing free speech following heightened threats from officials to potentially close down his platform.