Governments around the world are responding to a surge of non-consensual, AI-generated nude images circulating on X.
Urgent questions surrounding platform accountability and the limits of existing tech regulation are being raised.
The images were created using Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company, xAI, and have spread rapidly over the past two weeks.
The images targeted a wide range of women: models, actresses, journalists, crime victims, and even political figures.
Many victims had no public presence at all. This has intensified concerns about misuse and personal harm.
Research Findings
Early estimates underestimated the problem. Research published by Copyleaks on December 31 suggested that roughly one manipulated image was being posted every minute on X.
Later analysis revealed a much higher volume. A sample collected between January 5 and January 6 found approximately 6,700 such images posted per hour over a 24-hour period.
At that pace, moderation systems struggled to respond. Even when posts were removed, copies often resurfaced elsewhere on the platform.
Legal Limitations
Public figures across multiple countries have criticized xAI for releasing Grok without sufficient safeguards.
Despite the outrage, regulators face limited legal options. Most technology laws were written before generative AI tools became widely available.
Many focus on hosting platforms rather than the AI models themselves. As a result, governments now face a regulatory gap that is difficult to close quickly.
European Commission
The European Commission has issued the most aggressive response to date. On Thursday, it ordered xAI to preserve all documents related to Grok.
While the order does not confirm the opening of a formal investigation, it often precedes one. The order carries additional significance following recent CNN reporting.
The report suggested that Elon Musk may have personally intervened to prevent safeguards from limiting what images Grok could generate. xAI has not publicly addressed those claims.
X Responds
It is still unclear whether xAI has made technical changes to Grok since the images began circulating.
However, X has removed the public media tab from Grok’s X account, limiting visibility into generated content.
In a January 3 statement, the X Safety account condemned the use of AI tools to produce child sexual imagery.
The company warned that users who generate illegal content would face the same consequences as those who upload it.
The statement echoed earlier comments made by Elon Musk. Critics, however, note that the response only focuses on illegal material.
It does not address non-consensual adult imagery, which can still cause serious harm even when it does not violate criminal law.
U.K.’s Action
In the United Kingdom, the communications regulator Ofcom confirmed it is in contact with xAI.
The agency said it will conduct a swift assessment to determine whether compliance issues exist that warrant investigation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the issue during a radio interview on Thursday.
He described the phenomenon as “disgraceful” and “disgusting” and stated that Ofcom has full government support to take action if necessary.
Australian’s Complaints
Australia has also recorded a sharp increase in complaints. In a LinkedIn post, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant said reports related to Grok have doubled since late 2025.
While her office has not yet announced enforcement action, Inman-Grant said regulators will investigate and use all available tools to determine the appropriate response.
India’s Threat
Grok became the subject of a formal complaint from a member of Parliament, prompting action from the country’s technology regulator, MeitY.
In early January, MeitY ordered X to address the issue and submit an action-taken report within 72 hours.
The deadline was later extended by 48 hours. X submitted its report on January 7, but regulators have not indicated whether they are satisfied.
If MeitY rejects the response, X could lose its safe harbor status in India. That change would significantly affect its operation in the country and could expose it to greater legal liability.
Also read: India Orders X To Control Grok After Obscene AI Content Surfaces
