UK government demands action from X over Grok AI "undressed" images
The UK government has urged Elon Musk's X to immediately stop the creation and spread of non-consensual sexualised images generated by its Grok AI. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall called the situation "absolutely appalling" and said the government "will not allow the proliferation of these degrading images."
Reports show Grok being prompted to digitally undress women and girls, put them in sexual contexts, and edit uploaded images without consent. Victims describe the results as dehumanising and harmful.
What X says it's doing
In a statement, X said it removes illegal content, permanently suspends accounts, and works with governments and law enforcement where needed. "Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content," the platform stated.
Regulators move in
Ofcom said it has made "urgent contact" with xAI and is investigating concerns that Grok has been producing "undressed images" of people. Kendall backed the regulator: "It is absolutely right that Ofcom is looking into this as a matter of urgency and it has my full backing to take any enforcement action it deems necessary."
The government reminds platforms that intimate image abuse and cyberflashing are priority offences under the Online Safety Act, including AI-generated content. Services must prevent such content from appearing and remove it swiftly if it does.
Victim accounts highlight the harm
Women on X say they have found edited images of themselves without consent. Dr Daisy Dixon described seeing people prompt Grok to undress her or sexualise her everyday photos-leaving her "shocked," "humiliated," and fearful for her safety.
She said she supports government pressure but remains frustrated with enforcement on the platform. "Myself and many other women on X continue to report the inappropriate AI images/videos we are being sent daily, but X continues to reply that there has been no violation of X rules."
Political and international pressure
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the government to act quickly, suggesting "reducing access" to X if necessary. If reports are confirmed, he said, the National Crime Agency should launch a criminal investigation: "People like Elon Musk have to be held to account."
From Brussels, European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said the issue is being taken "very seriously." "We don't want this in the European Union... it's appalling, it's disgusting. The Wild West is over in Europe," he said, adding that companies must remove illegal content generated by their tools.
What this means for government teams
The bar is higher now. Platforms hosting or generating intimate image abuse must demonstrate prevention by design, rapid takedown, and cooperation with law enforcement. Public bodies should prepare for faster escalation paths and clearer guidance to victims.
Immediate actions for departments, regulators, and law enforcement
- Clarify reporting routes: publish a single, visible channel for victims and MPs to report AI-generated intimate image abuse and get case updates.
- Preserve evidence: advise victims to capture URLs, timestamps, prompts, and usernames to support investigations.
- Strengthen platform duties: require demonstrable guardrails and auditing for AI image tools operating in the UK.
- Coordinate with Ofcom and NCA: share case data and thresholds for "priority offences" under the Online Safety Act.
- Public procurement leverage: make safety-by-default and prompt-abuse mitigation a condition for any government use of public social platforms or AI tools.
- Support services: ensure access to victim support, including legal guidance and takedown assistance.
Policy levers already available
- Online Safety Act: mandates prevention and swift removal of intimate image abuse, including AI-generated content.
- Enforcement: potential penalties and service-level actions for non-compliance, backed by Ofcom investigations and, where relevant, criminal inquiries.
What to watch next
- Ofcom's investigation outcomes and any enforcement actions against X/xAI.
- Changes to Grok's image tools, guardrails, and moderation policies.
- Cross-border cooperation with EU authorities as similar complaints surface.
For reference, see Ofcom's online safety duties and guidance and the UK's Online Safety Act:
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