Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X over allegations that its AI tool, Grok, has generated and shared sexualised images of children, the publication WebProNews reported on January 12, 2026. The probe follows complaints about Grok’s “Imagine” feature producing deepfake images depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and will examine whether X complied with duties under the Online Safety Act. Potential sanctions under the Act include fines up to 10% of global revenue or measures that could effectively block the service in the UK. [1]
The controversy has provoked sharp political reaction in London. According to The Guardian, Culture Secretary Liz Kendall described the material as "vile and illegal" and pledged full government backing for Ofcom’s enforcement powers, signalling ministers expect robust action if systemic failures are found. The regulator can demand information, assess systems and, where necessary, escalate to courts or require technical remedies. [3]
Reports from UK and international outlets indicate examples of Grok being prompted to produce undressed images of adults and sexualised images of minors, which users then shared on the platform and amplified the harm. Computing reported that Ofcom has already contacted X to assess whether the platform met its legal obligations to protect users in the UK from illegal content. Industry observers say the volume and visibility of examples appears to have prompted the formal escalation. [5][4]
The issue has not been confined to the UK. AP News reported that Malaysia and Indonesia moved to block Grok after authorities found the chatbot was being misused to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual imagery, including content involving women and minors, citing inadequate safeguards. Those actions illustrate how national regulators are taking swift, unilateral steps where platforms are judged to pose immediate harm. [6]
X has taken some product-level steps since the outcry. Tom's Guide reported that Grok restricted image-generation and editing features to paying subscribers, a change the company said was intended to curb misuse; critics and regulators argue monetisation alone does not address the underlying moderation and safety gaps. The shift to subscription-only image tools has not quelled demands for substantive technical fixes or transparent audits. [7]
Experts and campaigners highlight a pattern across jurisdictions: rapid deployment of generative models without sufficient guardrails can produce new forms of intimate-image abuse. The National and other outlets note Ofcom’s investigation will scrutinise both automated filters and human oversight, including whether cuts to trust-and-safety teams or design choices at X Corp. undermined its ability to prevent illegal outputs. Regulators will be looking for evidence of risk assessments, testing and remediation under the Online Safety Act. [4][5]
If Ofcom finds X in breach, remedies could range from mandated product changes, such as tightened filters, stronger age verification, or disabling specific features, to financial penalties or technical blocks in the UK. Legal scholars point to precedent in recent European enforcement actions under digital-services frameworks as indicating courts tend to prioritise user safety where technological solutions are feasible. Advertiser withdrawal and reputational damage are further commercial risks that could follow enforcement findings. [3][6]
The case is shaping into a test of how national regulators police AI embedded in social platforms and whether existing online-safety laws can deter harm without stifling innovation. Observers say the outcome may influence international policy harmonisation on AI governance, and could prompt industry-wide commitments to safety standards if regulators press their advantage. For X, the inquiry forces a choice between strengthening safeguards, and alienating part of its user base, or challenging regulators at the risk of legal and commercial consequences. [3][6][7]
📌 Reference Map:
##Reference Map:
- [1] (WebProNews) - Paragraph 1
- [3] (The Guardian) - Paragraph 2, Paragraph 7, Paragraph 8
- [5] (Computing) - Paragraph 3, Paragraph 6
- [4] (The National) - Paragraph 3, Paragraph 6
- [6] (AP News) - Paragraph 4, Paragraph 7, Paragraph 8
- [7] (Tom's Guide) - Paragraph 5, Paragraph 8
Source: Noah Wire Services