The UK's media watchdog, Ofcom, has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform, X, over serious concerns about its AI chatbot, Grok. The probe, announced on Monday, 12 January 2026, focuses on Grok's image creation feature, which regulators say has been used to generate sexualised deepfakes, including images of women and children.
Deeply Concerning Reports Spark Formal Action
Ofcom described the reports about Grok's capabilities as "deeply concerning." In an official statement, the regulator clarified that the AI-generated undressed images of individuals could constitute intimate image abuse or pornography. More alarmingly, sexualised images of children created by the tool may amount to child sexual abuse material. This has led to a growing international backlash against the feature.
The formal investigation aims to determine if X has "failed to comply with its legal obligations" under Britain's Online Safety Act. This landmark law, which came into force in July, mandates that platforms hosting potentially harmful content implement strict age verification measures. These can include facial recognition or credit card checks.
Legal Powers and International Repercussions
Under the Online Safety Act, it is explicitly illegal for media sites to create or share non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material. This legal framework now explicitly covers sexual deepfakes created with artificial intelligence. Ofcom holds significant enforcement power, with the authority to impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company's worldwide revenue for serious breaches of these rules.
Ofcom revealed it first contacted X on January 5, 2026, asking the company to detail steps taken to protect UK users. X responded within the given timeframe, though the details of that exchange were not made public. When contacted by the AFP news agency for comment, X did not provide an immediate response.
X's Response and Global Condemnation
In a move seen by many as an attempt to deflect criticism, Grok announced a new monetisation policy at the end of last week. The tool posted on X that its image generation feature was now "limited to paying subscribers," alongside a link to a premium subscription. This response was swiftly condemned by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labelled it an affront to victims and "not a solution."
The controversy has triggered concrete international action. Indonesia became the first country to completely block access to the tool on Saturday, with Malaysia imposing a similar ban on Sunday. Furthermore, the European Commission has confirmed it is reviewing complaints about Grok, indicating that regulatory scrutiny is expanding beyond the UK.
For Nigeria, a nation with a vibrant tech scene and growing AI adoption, this high-profile investigation serves as a critical case study. It highlights the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to govern emerging AI technologies and protect citizens from digital harm, a conversation that is increasingly relevant in the Nigerian context.
