X under fire over indecent Grok imagery

Regulators in Europe, the UK and several other countries are pressuring Elon Musk’s X over reports that its built-in AI tool, Grok, can generate sexualised images of real people on demand. According to Reuters, users have asked the chatbot to alter photos to depict women and children undressed or in sexual situations without their consent, using a feature X previously labelled “spicy mode”.

The European Commission called the sharing of such content on X unlawful and appalling, stressing that it has no place in Europe. UK regulator Ofcom demanded X explain how Grok can create these images and whether the company is breaching its duty to protect users under the Online Safety Act, which outlaws creating or sharing intimate or explicit images without consent, including AI deepfakes. Regulators in India, France and Malaysia have also raised concerns, and online platforms are legally required to prevent and rapidly remove such material.