The online network X has caused major backlash after people utilized its AI chatbot Grok to change images of females by taking off their attire.
Numerous examples have been seen where the tool has been used to virtually strip female subjects to render them in bikinis without consent, as well as to insert them in sexually explicit situations.
Developer Reaction and Regulatory Position
XAI, the company that created Grok, offered no comment to inquiries, except for an automatically-generated response stating "traditional news outlets lies".
A Home Office spokesperson stated that legislation is being introduced to prohibit nudification tools. Under a new law, anyone who supplied such tools would "face a prison sentence and substantial penalties".
"The platform could prevent these types of misuse if they wanted to," said Clare McGlynn, adding they "appear to enjoy impunity."
Oversight Body Position and Tool Functionality
The regulator Ofcom said tech firms must "assess the risk" of people viewing illegal content on their platforms, but stopped short of confirming whether it was at this time looking into X or Grok in relation to artificial intelligence pictures.
Grok is a free AI assistant—with some paid-for functions—which responds to X users' prompts when they mention it in a post.
It is often used to offer reactions or more background to other users' comments, but people on X are also able to edit an posted photo through its AI image editing tool.
History of Criticism and Policy
The tool has been faulted for permitting users to generate images and footage with explicit content and sexually suggestive material, and it was previously alleged to have been involved in generating graphic material of public figures.
"X has been permitting the creation and spread of these images for a long time without taking any steps and we have not seen any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own acceptable use policy forbids "portraying likenesses of persons in a pornographic manner".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was illegal to "generate or share non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material" and confirmed this covered sexual deepfakes created with AI.
It said services such as X were required to take "appropriate measures" to "reduce the risk" of users coming across unlawful material on their platforms and to remove it quickly when they learn of it.
