Stress is on after PM Keir Starmer mentioned Musk’s X must ‘get a grip’ on Grok; Downing Road has threatened to go away platform.
Printed On 12 Jan 2026
United Kingdom media regulator Ofcom has launched a proper investigation into Elon Musk’s X over using AI chatbot Grok to generate deepfake sexualised pictures.
Ofcom labelled the reviews as “deeply regarding”, warning in a press release issued on Monday that the chatbot’s creation of nude deepfakes may quantity to “intimate picture abuse or pornography”, and that “sexualised pictures of kids” may very well be thought-about “youngster sexual abuse materials”.
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The regulator, which has the facility to ban Grok, is underneath strain to behave after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned on Thursday that the pictures produced by Grok had been “disgusting” and “illegal”, and that Musk’s social media platform X needed to “get a grip” on the appliance.
Ofcom mentioned its investigation will decide whether or not X “didn’t adjust to its authorized obligations”, and was launched after the corporate complied with an earlier request from the regulator to clarify the steps it had taken to guard UK customers.
Requested for a remark, X referred the AFP information company to a earlier assertion, which mentioned it took motion towards unlawful content material on X “by eradicating it, completely suspending accounts, and dealing with native governments and regulation enforcement as crucial”.
Expertise Secretary Liz Kendall mentioned it was important that Ofcom full its investigation swiftly, as the general public, and most significantly the victims, wouldn’t settle for any delay.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy mentioned he had raised the scenario with United States Vice President JD Vance, who had, he claimed, agreed that it was solely unacceptable.
Downing Road has in the meantime indicated that it’s prepared to think about leaving X, previously often known as Twitter, if Mr Musk’s firm doesn’t act.
Energy to ban
Underneath Britain’s On-line Security Act, which entered pressure in July, on-line platforms internet hosting probably dangerous content material are required to implement strict age verification by instruments corresponding to facial imagery or bank card checks.
It’s unlawful for media websites to create or share non-consensual intimate pictures or youngster sexual abuse materials, together with sexual deepfakes created with synthetic intelligence (AI).
Ofcom has the facility to impose fines of 10 % of worldwide income for breaches of guidelines.
Requested on Monday whether or not X may very well be banned, Enterprise Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned: “Sure, in fact”. However he famous that the facility to take action lay with Ofcom.
Grok appeared to deflect the worldwide criticism with a brand new monetisation coverage on the finish of final week, posting on X that the device was now “restricted to paying subscribers”.
Starmer condemned the transfer as an affront to victims and “not an answer”.
Musk has accused the UK authorities of being fascist and attempting to curb free speech.
Grok, developed by one other firm based by Musk referred to as xAI, launched a brand new superior picture technology function in July final 12 months.
However its use for creating nude deepfake pictures has change into widespread over the previous couple of weeks, sparking condemnation all over the world.
