UK investigates Elon Musk’s X, Grok AI amid France probe

The United Kingdom government has launched formal investigations into the Elon Musk-owned X social media platform and its Grok artificial intelligence system.

X Internet Unlimited Company (XIUC) and X.AI LLC (X.AI) are being probed over their processing of personal data and its potential to produce harmful sexualised image and video content.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) cited the reports that Grok has been used to generate non‑consensual sexual imagery of individuals, including children.

The relayed creation and circulation of such material, according to the ICO, raises serious concerns under UK data protection law and presents a risk of significant harm to the public.

The probe will determine whether personal data has been processed lawfully, and whether Grok’s design and deployment prevent the generation of manipulated images using personal data.

The ICO said by examining the risks associated with losing personal data, the agency is protecting people’s rights and holding organisations to account as they design and deploy AI technology.

The complaints about Grok raise “deeply troubling questions” about how people’s personal data has been used to generate objectifying images, said William Malcolm, ICO’s Director of Regulatory Risk.

“Where we find obligations (by XIUC and X.AI in Grok’s development and deployment) have not been met, we will take action to protect the public,” Malcolm stated.

The ICO added that it is working closely with Ofcom and international regulators to ensure their roles are aligned and that people’s safety and privacy are protected.

X, formerly Twitter, and Grok AI face a similar investigation in France. On Tuesday, French police officers and Europol operatives raided the social network’s office in Paris.

UK investigates Elon Musk’s X, Grok AI amid France probe