The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has formally opened an investigation into the social media platform X, following a significant public and political outcry over the use of its AI tool, Grok, to create nonconsensual sexualised imagery.
Political Pressure and Platform Response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the issue in the House of Commons, labelling images generated by Grok as "disgusting" and "shameful". He stated that the government had been informed X was "acting to ensure full compliance with UK law", a move he described as welcome but insufficient. Starmer emphasised the government's resolve, stating: "We are not going to back down... We will take the necessary measures." This includes strengthening existing laws and preparing new legislation if required.
In response to the scandal, X is understood to have restricted its @grok account. The platform has reportedly adjusted the AI so it no longer generates images of real people in revealing clothing, a function that had been widely misused to create manipulated images of women and children.
Public Sentiment and Legal Framework
New polling by More in Common reveals the depth of public concern. The research found that 58% of Britons believe X should be banned in the UK if it fails to crack down on AI-generated, nonconsensual images. Furthermore, 60% think UK ministers should cease using the platform, and 79% fear AI misuse will become a bigger problem.
The sharing of such imagery is illegal under the Online Safety Act. The Internet Watch Foundation reported last week that users on a dark web forum had boasted of using Grok to create sexualised imagery of girls aged 11 to 13. Elon Musk responded on X, claiming awareness of "zero" naked underage images from Grok and stating the AI is designed to refuse illegal requests, though he acknowledged potential for "adversarial hacking".
Government Criticism and Regulatory Scrutiny
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall criticised X's parent company, xAI, for limiting Grok's image generation to paying subscribers, calling it "a further insult to victims, effectively monetising this horrific crime". She also outlined plans for a wider ban on AI-enabled "nudification" tools with a single, despicable purpose.
However, Chi Onwurah, chair of the Commons science, innovation and technology committee, criticised the government's pace, noting reports of these Grok deepfakes emerged in August 2025. She questioned whether the proposed ban would cover multipurpose tools like Grok, rather than just single-function apps.
As Ofcom's independent investigation proceeds, the UK government has made clear that social media platforms must enforce robust guardrails against AI abuse, with the threat of severe penalties, including a potential ban, looming for non-compliance.
