The issue came to the fore after media regulator Ofcom launched an investigation this week into whether X had failed in its duty to protect users in the UK from illegal content. The probe focuses on reports that Grok was capable of producing sexually explicit “deepfake” images, a growing concern for regulators worldwide.
Addressing parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government had received assurances that the platform was taking action. “I have been informed this morning that X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law,” he said, adding that further steps would be taken if necessary.
Soon after Starmer’s remarks, Musk posted on X that Grok would operate strictly within the legal frameworks of the countries where it is available. He said the chatbot would refuse to generate illegal content and that obeying local laws was a core operating principle of the AI system.
X has already introduced some restrictions. Earlier in January, the company said requests to digitally undress people in images had been limited to paying users, a move critics argue does not fully address the broader risks posed by AI-generated abuse.
The regulatory pressure comes as the UK prepares to strengthen its legal response to deepfakes. Technology minister Liz Kendall confirmed that a new law making it a criminal offence to create sexual deepfake images is set to come into force this week. She described such content as “weapons of abuse” that disproportionately harm women and girls.
Ofcom’s investigation will assess whether X has breached its obligations under UK online safety rules, which require platforms to prevent the spread of illegal material and protect users from harm. The outcome could result in fines or further enforcement action if the regulator finds failures in compliance.
The case highlights the growing tension between rapid advances in generative AI and governments’ efforts to update laws and safeguards, as regulators seek to curb misuse while technology companies race to deploy increasingly powerful tools.