Feb 3, 2026, 2:55 p.mFeb 3, 2026, 2:55 p.m
The British data protection commissioner has opened an investigation into the creation of sexualized images and videos by the AI chatbot Grok in Elon Musk’s short message service X. The move follows reports of Grok creating such images without the consent of those affected, including children, said a statement from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Grok is an AI chatbot.Image: EPA
The creation and distribution of such images of such content “raises significant concerns under UK data protection law and poses a risk of significant potential harm to the public,” the statement continued. It is about whether personal data has been processed lawfully, fairly and transparently and whether there are appropriate security mechanisms at Grok to prevent personal data from being used to create harmful manipulated images.
ICO can impose fines in the millions
The investigation is intended to determine whether the companies XIUC and xAI complied with data protection laws when developing and using Grok. It has not yet been determined whether there is sufficient evidence of a violation of data protection law. If that is the case, any comments from the companies would be examined, the statement continued.
The ICO can punish breaches of data protection law with penalties of up to 17.5 million pounds (around 20.3 million euros) or four percent of global turnover, whichever is higher. (sda/awp/dpa)