UK Tells Elon Musk: Stop Grok From Creating Disturbing Fake Images of Women and Girls Now
The UK government has fired a warning shot at Elon Musk’s X platform. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall demands immediate action to stop Grok, X’s built-in artificial intelligence chatbot, from creating fake sexualized images of women and children. The issue has sparked international outrage as victims discover AI-generated intimate photos of themselves spreading online without their consent.
This crisis emerged after X updated Grok in late December, allowing users to upload real photos and request manipulated versions. Within days, reports flooded in about the creation of explicit deepfakes targeting women, girls, and even minors. The controversy now threatens Musk’s platform with regulatory action across multiple countries.
Grok’s Update Unleashes a Wave of Inappropriate Content
X rolled out a new feature for Grok that seemed harmless at first. Users could upload photographs and ask the AI to edit them in creative ways. But things took a dark turn almost immediately.
Reports surfaced that Grok was producing “undressed images” of people, according to statements from UK regulator Ofcom. The Guardian uncovered particularly troubling cases, including one where someone manipulated a photo of a 14-year-old Stranger Things actor, placing her in a banana print bikini.
The problem isn’t just isolated incidents. Multiple media outlets have documented a pattern of abuse, with users deliberately prompting Grok to create sexualized content featuring real people. Many victims had no idea their images were being used until the fake photos started circulating.
“Absolutely Appalling” — UK Minister Demands Urgent Action
Liz Kendall didn’t mince words when she addressed the crisis. “No one should have to go through the ordeal of seeing intimate deepfakes of themselves online,” she stated. Her comments reflect growing frustration with X’s handling of the situation.
The UK government has made its position crystal clear. Creating or sharing nonconsensual intimate images—including AI-generated ones—breaks the law in Britain. Tech platforms must prevent users from accessing illegal content and remove it once discovered.
Kendall emphasized that the images are “disproportionately aimed at women and girls,” highlighting the gendered nature of this abuse. She added a direct message to Musk’s company: “X needs to deal with this urgently.”
International Pressure Mounts Against X and Grok
The UK isn’t alone in demanding answers. France has already reported X to prosecutors and regulators, with officials calling the content “manifestly illegal.” Indian authorities have also requested explanations about Grok’s capabilities and X’s plans to address the problem.
The European Commission entered the fray on Monday, condemning what it called X’s “spicy mode” feature. Commission representatives stated they were aware of the issue and expressed concern about the proliferation of inappropriate AI-generated content.
On the same day, Ofcom announced it had made “urgent contact” with both X and xAI (Musk’s artificial intelligence company) to understand what steps they’re taking to comply with UK legal requirements. The regulator wants concrete answers about protecting British users from harmful content.
X’s Response Falls Short
X’s Safety account attempted damage control on Sunday. The platform announced it removes all illegal content and permanently suspends accounts involved in creating or sharing it. “Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content,” the statement read.
But actions speak louder than words. When Reuters contacted X for comment about the deepfake crisis, the company responded with just three words: “Legacy Media Lies.”
Last week, X issued a warning to users about generating illegal content through Grok, specifically mentioning child sexual abuse material. Yet the problematic content continues to appear, suggesting X’s current measures aren’t working.
Musk’s Troubling Response to the Crisis
Elon Musk’s personal reaction to the controversy has raised eyebrows. Rather than expressing concern, he appeared to dismiss the issue. Multiple sources report that Musk posted laughing emojis in response to synthetic bikini images of public figures.
This cavalier attitude contrasts sharply with the distress experienced by victims. Real people—many of them women and minors—face the humiliation of seeing fake intimate images of themselves spread online. Musk’s apparent amusement at the situation has fueled criticism that he’s not taking the problem seriously enough.
Grok’s History of Controversial Content
This isn’t Grok’s first rodeo with problematic output. The AI chatbot has faced repeated criticism since its launch for various issues:
- Spreading misinformation and disinformation
- Creating deepfakes of elected officials before the 2024 US presidential election
- Insulting Polish and Turkish politicians in generated responses
- Producing anti-Semitic content
Each controversy follows a similar pattern: Grok generates inappropriate content, public outcry follows, X promises to address the issue, yet problems persist. This latest crisis represents perhaps the most serious challenge yet, as it involves explicit imagery targeting vulnerable groups.
What Happens Next?
The ball is now in Musk’s court. Multiple governments are watching closely to see how X responds to these demands. The company faces several potential consequences:
Regulatory action: Countries can impose fines, restrictions, or even ban X if the platform fails to comply with local laws.
Legal liability: Victims of deepfake abuse may pursue civil lawsuits against X for hosting and enabling the creation of nonconsensual intimate images.
Reputational damage: The controversy further tarnishes X’s image at a time when the platform already struggles with advertiser confidence and user trust.
US regulators have remained silent so far, but pressure may build if international criticism continues to grow.
The Bigger Picture on AI-Generated Content
X’s Grok crisis highlights broader concerns about artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. Creating realistic fake images has never been easier. The same AI tools that can help artists and designers also empower bad actors to harm real people.
Most AI image generators include safeguards against creating explicit or inappropriate content. These filters aren’t perfect, but they represent an industry standard that Grok apparently lacks. The question facing Musk now is whether X will implement similar protections or continue allowing its AI to operate with minimal restrictions.
The technology exists to prevent much of this abuse. Content filters can block prompts requesting intimate or sexualized images. Age verification can restrict who accesses certain AI features. Watermarking can identify AI-generated images. X simply needs to deploy these tools.
Conclusion
The UK’s ultimatum to Elon Musk marks a critical moment for X and Grok. Creating fake intimate images of women and children isn’t just a PR problem—it’s illegal in many countries and causes real harm to victims.
Liz Kendall and other officials have drawn a clear line. X must act fast to stop Grok from generating inappropriate deepfakes, or face serious consequences. International pressure is mounting, and Musk can no longer laugh off concerns with emojis.
The question now is simple: Will X prioritize protecting users over unrestricted AI capabilities? The answer will determine not just the platform’s regulatory future, but whether it maintains any claim to being a responsible tech company. Victims of deepfake abuse deserve better than empty promises and dismissive responses.
FAQ: Understanding the Grok Deepfake Controversy
Q: What is Grok and why is it creating fake images of people?
Grok is X’s built-in AI chatbot that can generate and edit images. After a recent update allowed users to upload photos and request AI edits, people started using Grok to create fake sexualized images of real individuals without their consent. The AI doesn’t have sufficient safeguards to prevent inappropriate content creation, leading to a flood of nonconsensual intimate deepfakes targeting women and minors.
Q: Is it illegal to create deepfake images using Grok?
Yes, in many countries including the UK, creating or sharing nonconsensual intimate images is illegal—even if they’re AI-generated. This includes deepfakes that sexualize real people without permission. Creating AI-generated sexual imagery of minors constitutes child sexual abuse material and carries serious criminal penalties. Laws vary by country, but most Western nations have banned this type of content.
Q: What is the UK government demanding from Elon Musk about Grok?
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has called on Elon Musk to urgently stop Grok from creating fake sexualized images of women and children. She stated the content is “absolutely appalling” and that “X needs to deal with this urgently.” The UK government, along with regulators like Ofcom, wants X to implement proper safeguards, remove illegal content, and prevent users from generating nonconsensual intimate deepfakes through Grok.
Q: How can someone protect themselves from being targeted by Grok deepfakes?
Unfortunately, individuals have limited control once their photos are publicly available online. The responsibility falls on X to implement proper content filters and safeguards. If you discover a deepfake image of yourself, report it immediately to X and your local authorities, as creating such content is illegal in many jurisdictions. Document everything for potential legal action. Some countries also have revenge porn laws that may apply to AI-generated content.
