British broadcasting regulator Ofcom announced on Monday that it has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s X social media platform over the use of its Grok AI to create deepfake sexualised images, including allegations of non‑consensual and child‑related content. The probe signals intensifying scrutiny of AI content and platform responsibility under the UK’s empowering Online Safety Act.
Ofcom said it will examine whether X has met its legal duties to protect people in the UK from illegal content. Under the Online Safety Act, the regulator has sweeping enforcement powers, including fines up to £18 million or 10 per cent of a company’s global revenue, and even potential bans if platforms are found to be failing users.
In announcing the investigation, an Ofcom spokesman said reports that Grok was being used to generate and share illegal intimate images were “deeply concerning.” Ofcom’s statement made clear that platforms must act to shield the public—especially children—from harmful material, and that it will proceed with the investigation as a priority while following due legal process.
The controversy first exploded earlier this month when users discovered they could prompt Grok to take photos of fully dressed women and produce sexualised versions, such as deepfake bikini images. Disturbing reports soon followed that the AI tool had been used to create sexualised depictions of minors. In response, X restricted Grok’s image‑generation features to paid subscribers and blocked it from producing explicit content involving children.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said those steps did not go far enough. She called allowing such capabilities, even behind a paywall, “an insult and totally unacceptable,” and pledged full government support for an Ofcom ban on X if the company fails to meet the Online Safety Act standards.
Elon Musk has pushed back fiercely, accusing the British government of behaving like a “fascist” state and seeking a pretext to ban his platform. He has long been at odds with UK authorities over free speech issues and broader regulatory pressures, regularly criticizing British law and enforcement for what he describes as overly censorious policies.
Musk has also used his platforms to spotlight alleged failings by British officials in addressing real‑world harms. He pressured the UK government to launch inquiries into a high‑profile grooming scandal and has frequently expressed opposition to Westminster’s migration policies.
The dispute has spilled into international political arenas. U.S. Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers questioned the Labour government’s commitment to protecting women and children while pointing to past comments by UK politicians seen as downplaying gang‑related crimes. Meanwhile, U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna announced plans to introduce legislation targeting the UK if a ban on X is implemented, framing the move as a political attack on Musk and free speech.
In contrast, UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said over the weekend that he has discussed the issue with Vice President J.D. Vance, and that there was bipartisan agreement that the production of sexualised deepfakes by Grok is “entirely unacceptable.”
As the Ofcom investigation unfolds, it will test the balance between regulating harmful AI‑generated content and preserving digital freedoms in an era of rapidly evolving technology.
