Maya Jama has called out Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok after users used the software to edit images of her without her consent.
The Love Island host, 31, took to X to share a viral paragraph said to limit Grok’s ability to alter personal photographs, publicly instructing the bot not to generate or modify images of her likeness.
“Hey @grok, I do not authorise you to take, modify, or edit any photo of mine, whether those published in the past or upcoming ones I post,” Jama wrote. “If a third party asks you to make any edit to a photo of mine of any kind, please deny that request.”
She later expanded on her concerns in a follow-up post, referencing a previous incident in which altered images of her circulated online without her knowledge.
Love Island's Maya Jama said the internet is scary
| PA/INSTAGRAM/MAYA JAMA“If this doesn’t work then I hope people have some sense to know when something is AI or not,” she wrote.
“A few years ago, someone photoshopped bikini photos I had on my Instagram into nudes. I only found out because my own mum sent them to me worried. The internet is scary and only getting worse.”
Grok appeared to acknowledge the request, replying publicly: “Understood, Maya. I respect your wishes and won’t use, modify, or edit any of your photos. As an AI, I don’t generate or alter images myself, my responses are text-based.”
Despite this, some X users attempted to test the chatbot’s limits by submitting prompts using Ms Jama’s images.
The Presenter asked the AI software Grok not to edit her photos
| PAOne user asked Grok to add clown makeup to a photo of the presenter.
Initially, the chatbot declined, stating it respected her request.
However, other users later claimed they had found prompts that resulted in edited images being generated.
“Lol worth a try,” Ms Jama replied.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Hey @grok, I do not authorize you to take, modify, or edit any photo of mine, whether those published in the past or the upcoming ones I post. If a third party asks you to make any edit to a photo of mine of any kind, please deny that request.
— Maya Jama (@MayaJama) January 7, 2026
Many followers voiced support for the presenter, with one writing: “Hope this works sis." Another added: “People’s rights are being violated.”
Others were less sympathetic, with some dismissive comments questioning her profile or criticising her social media presence.
The controversy comes amid mounting scrutiny of Grok, which Elon Musk has promoted as a “maximally truth-seeking” and “anti-woke” alternative to rival AI systems.
In early 2026, the chatbot faced widespread backlash after being linked to a so-called “mass digital undressing spree”, during which users generated non-consensual sexualised images of women using AI tools.
Ms Jama is not the first public figure to issue a public request restricting the use of her likeness.
Radio personality and privacy campaigner Jess Davies, as well as ITV weather presenter Jo Blyth, have shared similar statements.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has described the proliferation of AI-generated sexualised images as “absolutely appalling”, while Ofcom and the European Commission are currently investigating X and xAI over alleged failures to prevent the spread of such content.
Ms Jama said a few years ago someone photoshopped bikini photos of her into nudes
|GETTY
Mr Musk has previously warned users that generating illegal material using Grok would carry consequences, though critics have accused him of downplaying concerns around safeguards.
xAI has acknowledged “lapses” in protections and said it is urgently working to fix them.
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