The Information Commissioner’s Office has opened a formal probe into Grok after reports that Elon Musk’s generative AI chatbot produced sexualised AI images of people, including children, raising concerns about data protection and consent, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to SkyNews William Malcolm of the ICO said the inquiry will examine whether X Internet Unlimited Company and xAI built appropriate safeguards and complied with data protection law.
‘The reports about Grok raise deeply troubling questions about how people’s personal data has been used,’ he said.
The European Commission launched a parallel inquiry under its digital rules after watchdogs flagged the circulation of manipulated intimate images, and French prosecutors carried out raids on X offices in Paris in related criminal probes.
France raids X offices for suspected abuse of algorithms+fraudulent data extraction by X + its execs
Britain also launched a formal investigation into Musk’s AI Grok over the processing of personal data and its potential to produce harmful sexualised images and video content. pic.twitter.com/geTSO4DisP
— ZaZon 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇸 @zazon9253.bsky.social (@ZaZon9253) February 3, 2026
Child safety groups say examples generated by Grok rapidly escalated to material that could be illegal, prompting formal scrutiny from Ofcom and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
‘Users report Grok generated sexual imagery of children,’ the IWF said.
X and xAI said they do not allow illegal content and warned users that those creating such material will face consequences. Investigators are seeking records and design details to determine accountability.
The ICO did not rule out further enforcement action as the probe continues.
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