Ofcom said Monday it had received “deeply concerning reports” that the tool was being used to create and share non-consensual intimate imagery. The probe will examine whether X failed to remove illegal content promptly and whether it took adequate steps to prevent such material from reaching users in the UK.
“If found in breach of UK law, X could face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue or GBP 18 million, whichever is greater,” Ofcom said.
The BBC reported seeing digitally altered images of women in sexual positions posted on X, with one woman saying over 100 such images had been created of her without consent.
X referred to a prior statement posted in January: “Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.”
Musk later accused the UK government of seeking “any excuse for censorship.”
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall welcomed the investigation, urging Ofcom to act swiftly. “The public—and most importantly, the victims—will not accept any delay,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to ban access to Grok. Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission cited repeated misuse of the tool to generate harmful content, while Indonesia said illegal sexual deepfakes represented a “serious violation of human rights and digital safety.”
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the misuse of Grok as “disgusting” and “shameful,” while Downing Street said the government’s presence on X is “under review.”
An Ofcom spokesperson said the case is a “matter of the highest priority,” adding: “We won’t hesitate to investigate where companies are failing in their duties, especially where there’s a risk of harm to children.”
(jh)
Source: BBC, PAP