Jan 14, 2026 12:50:00

UK regulators investigate X over Grok sexual imagery

Authorities in India, France, and Malaysia have

launched investigations into X's use of Grok, a generative AI that manipulates images of women and children. Indonesia blocked Grok on January 10th, and various other countries have responded. On January 12th, 2026, Ofcom, the UK media regulator, announced that it had launched a formal investigation into X under the UK's Online Safety Act.

Ofcom launches investigation into X over Grok sexualized imagery
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/ofcom-launches-investigation-into-x-over-grok-sexualized-imagery

UK pushes up a law criminalizing deepfake nudes in response to Grok | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/860881/uk-ai-x-grok-law-criminalizing-deepfake-nudes-ai

Following reports of Grok creating and sharing images of nudity and potential child sexual abuse on X, Ofcom contacted X on 5 January 2026 to request that X explain 'what steps it has taken to comply with its obligations to protect UK users.' X responded by Ofcom's stated deadline of 9 January, and Ofcom is conducting an expedited assessment of the available evidence.

The specifics of Ofcom's formal investigation include:

Assessing the risk that UK users may encounter content that is illegal in the UK and conducting updated risk assessments before making any significant changes to our services.
- Take appropriate measures to prevent UK users from viewing 'priority illegal content', including non-consensual sexual imagery and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
- If you become aware of illegal content, remove it immediately.
- Consider protecting users from violations of privacy laws.
Assess the risks services pose to children in England and carry out updated risk assessments before making major changes to services.
-We have an effective age assurance system in place to protect UK children from pornography.

Ofcom has stated clearly that it is not a censorship body and will not instruct platforms to remove specific posts or accounts. However, if its investigations reveal that a company is in breach of the law, it can require specific measures to comply under the Online Safety Act, or impose fines of up to approximately £18 million (approximately ¥3.8 billion) or 10% of global turnover, whichever is greater, as restitution for damages caused by the breach. Furthermore, in the most serious and continuing cases of non-compliance, it can apply to the courts for 'business disruption actions.'

An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'We are seriously concerned by reports that Grok on X is being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material. Platforms must protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK, and we will investigate immediately if we suspect a company is failing to fulfil this duty, particularly where there is a risk of harm to children. We will proceed with this investigation as a top priority, whilst respecting due process. As the UK's independent online safety enforcer, it is important that we ensure our investigations are legally robust and based on fair judgment.'

Shortly after Ofcom announced its investigation, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of the ruling Labour Party, warned Labour Party officials that 'if company X can't control Grok, we will,' and that 'company X could lose its right to self-regulate,' according to the BBC. According to the BBC, the UK government is also planning to introduce legislation that would make it illegal to offer online tools used to create deep nudes.

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg criticised Ofcom and the UK government, saying, 'When the government threatens to block access to a major platform used by millions of people every day, it is no longer enforcing the law, it is trying to shut down debate.'