Ofcom has confirmed "investigations remain ongoing," into X's AI chatbot Grok, despite the social media platform introducing a number of new regulations to crack down on the generation of sexualised images.
The social media platform said it would impose restrictions on "editing images of real people in revealing clothes such as bikinis" after mounting pressure from MPs.
Keir Starmer told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions X is complying to ensure UK law is not broken, although warned the Government is "absolutely determined to take action."
He added that Ofcom has the "full backing" of the Government.
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On Wednesday morning, an Ofcom spokesman said: "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."
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall welcomed restrictions on Grok, saying she "shall not rest until all social media platforms meet their legal duties".
"I welcome this move from X, though I will expect the facts to be fully and robustly established by Ofcom’s ongoing investigation," she said.
Regulator Ofcom have welcomed changes made by X's AI chatbot Grok, but insists that 'investigations remain ongoing'
| GETTY"Our Online Safety Act is and always has been about keeping people safe on social media – especially children – and it has given us the tools to hold X to account in recent days.
"I also want to thank those who have spoken out against this abuse, above all the victims.
"I shall not rest until all social media platforms meet their legal duties and provide a service that is safe and age-appropriate to all users."
A Downing Street source said it was "vindication" for Sir Keir after the Prime Minister's words were followed by action from the social media platform.
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Keir Starmer condemnd Grok's 'disgusting' images to MPs on Wednesday
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"This is a vindication for Keir Starmer who has shown he will always stand up for the people of this country – including the vulnerable – against the most powerful," the source said.
But X's change was confirmed just hours after California's top prosecutor said that the state was probing the spread of sexualised AI deepfakes, including of children, generated by the AI model.
This weekend, Malaysia and Indonesia became the first countries to ban the AI tool after users complained photos had been altered to create explicit content without their consent.
X has announced it would impose restrictions on "editing images of real people in revealing clothes such as bikinis".
The social media platform said it would "geoblock the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
"This adds an extra layer of protection by helping to ensure that individuals who attempt to abuse the Grok account to violate the law or our policies can be held accountable," X added.
Geoblocking prevents access to a feature for people based in particular countries or locations.
This means users could potentially bypass any change through the use of the VPN.
The restriction will apply to all users, including paid subscribers, while image editing and creation will be limited to premium users.
It also marks a significant shift in stance from Elon Musk.Initially, he had earlier defended the AI tool, declaring that critics "just want to suppress free speech". He included two AI-generated images of Sir Keir in a bikini in the post.With specific settings enabled, Grok is supposed permit "upper body nudity of imaginary adult humans (not real ones)," he wrote on the platform on Wednesday."That is the de facto standard in America. This will vary in other regions according to the laws on a country-by-country basis," the billionaire added.
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