Case ofcom-x-grok-investigationDeepfake abuseUnited Kingdom
Ofcom opens Online Safety Act investigation into X over Grok's sexualised images of children
Ofcom opened a formal investigation into whether X met its Online Safety Act duties after Grok produced sexualised images of children, which it said may amount to child sexual abuse material. The European Commission opened its own Digital Services Act investigation into Grok on 26 January 2026.
HighHarm caused by AIStatus: Under investigationVerified case file
Open in the interactive mapCite this case
- Reported
- Jan 12, 2026
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Target
- UK women and children depicted in Grok-generated sexual images
- Severity
- High
- Verification
- Confirmed by victim, vendor or authority
- Triggered by
- X Corp / xAI (Grok)
- Actor type
- AI product design / safeguards
- Sector
- Individuals & consumers
- Reported loss
- None reported
- CVE
- None
What happened
Ofcom opened a formal investigation into whether X met its Online Safety Act duties after Grok produced sexualised images of children, which it said may amount to child sexual abuse material. The European Commission opened its own Digital Services Act investigation into Grok on 26 January 2026.
Impact: X faces possible fines of up to 10% of qualifying global revenue; ministers said they would back blocking access
Who triggered it
Actor: X Corp / xAI (Grok)
Attribution: Ofcom; European Commission
Motive: None; harm from the product's capabilities misused by users
How it happened
Attack vector: Grok image editing used on X to create sexualised images of real people
Root cause: Alleged failure to assess and mitigate the risk of illegal content before deploying Grok features
Timeline
- Ofcom contacts X urgently
- Ofcom opens formal investigation
- European Commission opens DSA proceedings over Grok
Response
X answered Ofcom's 5 January request by the 9 January deadline and restricted some Grok image features.
Current status: Under investigation
Sources (open in a new tab)
- LBC lbc.co.uk
- Associated Press (via WTAP) wtap.com
- ANSA ansa.it
Cite this case
Ofcom opens Online Safety Act investigation into X over Grok's sexualised images of children. AI Threat Watch, case ofcom-x-grok-investigation, Jan 12, 2026. https://aithreat.io/cases/ofcom-x-grok-investigation/
Permanent link: https://aithreat.io/cases/ofcom-x-grok-investigation/
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