Data watchdog launches probe into Elon Musk's Grok over sexualised AI-generated images

It follows reports that the AI tool had been used to create non‑consensual sexual imagery of people, including children.

"The reported creation and circulation of such content raises serious concerns under UK data protection law and presents a risk of significant potential harm to the public," the IOC said in a statement.

The concerns relate to personal data, and whether it has been processed lawfully. The watchdog also said they are investigating whether appropriate safeguards were built into the design of Grok to prevent the creation of harmful manipulated images.

The ICO say they will examine whether those safeguards failed and caused individuals to lose control of their personal data.

William Malcolm, Executive Director Regulatory Risk & Innovation at the IOC, said: "The reports about Grok raise deeply troubling questions about how people’s personal data has been used to generate intimate or sexualised images without their knowledge or consent, and whether the necessary safeguards were put in place to prevent this.

"Losing control of personal data in this way can cause immediate and significant harm. This is particularly the case where children are involved.

"Our role is to address the data protection concerns at the centre of this, while recognising that other organisations also have important responsibilities.

"We are working closely with Ofcom and international regulators to ensure our roles are aligned and that people’s safety and privacy are protected.

"We will continue to work in partnership as part of our coordinated efforts to create trust in UK digital services.

"Our investigation will assess whether XIUC and X.AI have complied with data protection law in the development and deployment of the Grok services, including the safeguards in place to protect people’s data rights. Where we find obligations have not been met, we will take action to protect the public."

Watchdog Ofcom also issued an update on their ongoing investigation into the social media platform, saying they are currently gathering and analysing evidence to determine whether X has broken the law.

They confirmed they are not investigating xAI, the provider of the standalone Grok service, yet. The watchdog say they are continuing to demand answers and examining whether to conduct a full-scale investigation.

Ofcom confirmed they are advancing in their X and xAI probes as "a matter of urgency", but that investigations of such magnitude can often take "months".

The watchdog first contacted the social media platform "urgently" on January 5, with a deadline of January 9.

On January 14, Ofcom confirmed: "X has said it’s implemented measures to prevent the Grok account from being used to create intimate images of people.

"This is a welcome development. However, our formal investigation remains ongoing. We are working round the clock to progress this and get answers into what went wrong and what’s being done to fix it."

The IOC's investigation comes merely hours after the Paris prosecution office confirmed they had raided X's offices in Paris.

Both Mr Musk and former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino, who resigned in July last year after two years in the role, have been summoned to voluntary questioning in April.

The prosecutors office said the operation was part of efforts to ensure X was complying with French laws.

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