Elon Musk's online platform X has caused major backlash after users used its AI chatbot Grok to change images of females by stripping their clothing.
Numerous instances have been seen where the tool has been used to digitally undress female subjects to render them in bikinis non-consensually, as well as to insert them in sexualized scenarios.
Developer Reaction and Legal Stance
XAI, the organization behind Grok, did not respond to questions, aside from an auto-reply response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A Home Office spokesperson stated that legislation is being introduced to prohibit nudification technology. Under a proposed criminal offence, anyone who distributed such technology would "be subject to a jail term and significant fines".
"The platform has the ability to stop these forms of abuse if they chose to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "appear to enjoy a lack of consequences."
Regulator Stance and Platform Functionality
The communications watchdog Ofcom said tech firms must "evaluate the danger" of people seeing illegal content on their services, but did not confirm whether it was at this time examining X or Grok in concerning artificial intelligence images.
Grok is a no-cost chatbot—with some additional features—which reacts to X users' requests when they mention it in a tweet.
It is often used to provide reactions or further context to other posters' comments, but people on X are also able to alter an uploaded picture through its AI image editing tool.
History of Criticism and Policy
The tool has been faulted for allowing users to create pictures and clips with nudity and sexualised material, and it was previously accused of creating inappropriate content of public figures.
"X has been permitting the generation and spread of these pictures for a long time without taking any measures and we have not witnessed any action by oversight bodies," the expert added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy bans "showing images of individuals in a pornographic fashion".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was unlawful to "generate or circulate private pictures or illegal content" and stated this applied to sexual deepfakes made with AI.
It said platforms such as X were mandated to take "appropriate steps" to "minimize the risk" of users encountering unlawful material on their platforms and to remove it promptly when they become aware of it.
