EU Opens Probe Into Elon Musk's X Over Grok AI's Sexualised Deepfake Images

Last Updated:January 26, 2026, 19:57 IST

The probe comes amid concern about the tool, which reportedly allows users to sexualise images with simple text prompts such as “put her in a bikini” or “remove her clothes.”

The EU is examining whether X properly addressed the risks of illegal content. (AFP photo)

The European Union on Monday launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X over its AI chatbot Grok, which has been used to generate sexualised deepfake images of women and children.

The probe comes amid international concern about the tool, which reportedly allows users to sexualise images with simple text prompts such as “put her in a bikini" or “remove her clothes."

“In Europe, we will not tolerate unthinkable behaviour, such as digital undressing of women and children," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We will not hand over consent and child protection to tech companies to violate and monetise. The harm caused by illegal images is very real."

EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen said the investigation would determine whether X had complied with its obligations under the bloc’s Digital Services Act, which aims to regulate internet giants. She added that the rights of women and children should not be “collateral damage" of X’s services.

The EU is examining whether X properly addressed the risks of illegal content, including sexually explicit manipulated images, some of which could amount to child sexual abuse material.

Earlier this month, X restricted Grok’s image generation and editing features to paying subscribers, but the move did not prevent the EU probe.

Research from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate estimated that Grok generated around three million sexualised images of women and children in just a few days.

The investigation will also expand an existing EU probe into X over illegal content and misinformation, following concerns that Grok will now power the platform’s recommendation system without sufficient safeguards.

X, formerly known as Twitter, has already faced EU scrutiny, including a €120 million fine in December 2023 for transparency violations under the Digital Services Act. The breaches included misleading “blue checkmark" verifications and refusal to provide public data to researchers.

Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier emphasised that the EU enforces its rules “firmly, fairly, [and] objectively" and does not target companies based on their origin. The case highlights ongoing tensions between Brussels and Washington over technology regulation.

(With inputs from AFP)

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