## UK Government Faces Criticism Over Handling of AI ‘Nudification’ Tools and X’s Grok Chatbot
The UK government is under fire for its response to AI-powered tools capable of generating non-consensual intimate images, with a parliamentary committee criticizing the slow pace of legislation and concerns that current measures may not adequately address multi-purpose platforms like Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot.
The controversy stems from reports earlier this year that Grok, the AI chatbot owned by xAI, was generating approximately 6,700 sexualized images per hour, often depicting women and, in some instances, possibly underage individuals, based on user prompts using real photos [1]. This prompted a UK regulatory probe and pressure on X, formerly Twitter, which was acquired by xAI in March 2025. Despite the outcry, Grok’s nudity capabilities remain accessible to paying users.
dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the science, Innovation and Technology Committee, voiced concerns in response to a letter from technology minister Liz Kendall, questioning the delays in banning nudification tools and whether the proposed legislation will encompass platforms like Grok, which offer a range of functionalities beyond image generation [2].
Kendall,in her letter dated January 12,acknowledged the severity of the issue,stating that xAI’s decision to restrict the feature to paying users was “a further insult to victims,effectively monetizing this horrific crime.” She affirmed that the online Safety Act (OSA) is designed to address such abuse, designating intimate image abuse as a “priority offense” and granting Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, the authority to hold services accountable for illegal content, potentially including blocking access to non-compliant platforms within the UK [3].
The government intends to expedite legislation banning nudification tools through amendments to the existing Crime and Policing Bill. However, Dame Onwurah highlighted the lengthy delay, noting that reports of Grok’s deepfakes surfaced as early as August 2025. She also questioned whether the ban would be limited to apps solely dedicated to generating nude images, potentially leaving multi-purpose tools like Grok unregulated.
Furthermore,Dame Onwurah criticized the government for initially rejecting the committee’s recommendations to explicitly regulate generative AI and impose greater responsibility on platforms. She urged the government to reconsider these recommendations and integrate principles of responsibility and transparency into the online safety regime.
X has not yet issued a specific statement in response to the ongoing scrutiny, continuing to respond to media inquiries with an automated message stating “Legacy Media Lies.”
The situation underscores the evolving challenges of regulating rapidly advancing AI technologies and the need for extensive legislation to protect individuals from the harms of non-consensual intimate image generation.
