The UK government has intensified its response to the misuse of Grok AI on X, announcing a comprehensive legal framework to combat non-consensual intimate deepfake imagery created by the artificial intelligence tool.
Government’s Swift Legislative Response
In a statement to Parliament on January 12, the UK’s DSIT Secretary of State revealed that creating or requesting the creation of non-consensual intimate images through AI tools is already illegal under the Data Act, passed last year. The government announced this offence will be brought into force this week and designated as a “priority offence” under the Online Safety Act, requiring platforms to take proactive action to prevent such content from appearing.
The government also confirmed plans to legislate through the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalize “nudification apps”—tools designed specifically to create non-consensual intimate images. This legislation targets the problem at its source by making it illegal for companies to supply such technology.
Regulatory Investigation Underway
Ofcom, the UK telecommunications regulator, opened a formal investigation into X to assess compliance with the Online Safety Act. The regulator has the power to issue fines worth millions of dollars or up to 10% of a company’s worldwide qualifying revenue, and can seek court orders to block UK user access in the most serious cases.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also contacted X and xAI to seek clarification on measures to comply with UK data protection law and protect individuals’ rights.
The Scale of the Problem
The Internet Watch Foundation reported “criminal imagery” of children as young as 11 created through Grok, with images disproportionately targeting women and girls. X’s decision to limit the image generation function to paid subscribers was deemed insufficient by government officials, who criticized the approach as “monetising abuse.”
What This Means
Individuals who create or attempt to create non-consensual intimate deepfakes now face criminal prosecution with full force of law. X and other platforms are expected to act responsibly without waiting for investigation conclusions, while the government maintains readiness to strengthen existing laws if necessary.