UK’s New Rules for Grok: How AI Deepfakes Will Be Regulated
This week, the UK government will implement a new rule that will make employing AI to create non-consensual intimate photographs illegal. Amid mounting concern over photos produced by Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot on the platform X, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall made the announcement in Parliament. Businesses who provide the equipment needed to create these kinds of photos will also be targeted by the law.
Kendall informed MPs that images produced by AI that depict women or children undressed without their consent are far from innocuous. “These are not just images,” she remarked. “They are weapons of abuse.”
The announcement follows an inquiry by Ofcom.
The announcement comes after the media regulator Ofcom, which only hours before announced that it had launched an investigation against X due to “deeply concerning reports” about Grok’s capacity to manipulate people’s photos. Kendall urged Ofcom to act swiftly. She asked the regulator to release a clear timeframe as soon as possible and encouraged it to avoid letting the investigation drag on for “months and months.”
In the UK, sharing deepfake adult intimate photos is currently illegal. However, even though the appropriate legislation was passed back in June 2025, the separate offense of actually making such photos or soliciting someone to generate them has not been actively enforced until this week.
According to Kendall, this kind of communication will also be considered a “priority offence” under the Online Safety Act. This implies that platforms and individuals have far greater responsibility to stop it.
Content circulating on X is illegal, says Technology Secretary
“The content which has circulated on X is vile,” she stated. “It’s not just an affront to decent society, it is illegal.” She went on to emphasize: “Let me be crystal clear – under the Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images of people without their consent, or threatening to share them, including pictures of people in their underwear, is a criminal offence for individuals and for platforms.”
“This means individuals are committing a criminal offence if they create or seek to create such content including on X, and anyone who does this should expect to face the full extent of the law.” The government is working to resolve what it considers to be a hazardous legal loophole, and the new restrictions are anticipated to go into force in the coming days.
Several additional nations, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and India, are questioning Elon Musk’s Grok. “They just want to suppress free speech” is Musk’s response to the criticism.
FAQs: UK Cracks Down on Grok AI and Non-Consensual Deepfake Photos
1. What new rule is the UK implementing regarding AI-generated images?
The UK government has made it illegal to use AI to create non-consensual intimate or sexual images, targeting AI tools like Grok.
2. Who announced this new law?
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced the law in the UK Parliament.
3. Why is the UK cracking down on Grok AI?
Concerns arose over AI-generated intimate images of women and children on X (formerly Twitter) created by Grok, which are considered harmful and abusive.
4. Does the law target only AI developers?
No, it also targets businesses providing tools or equipment used to generate non-consensual intimate images.
5. Are these AI-generated images considered illegal already?
Yes, sharing deepfake adult intimate photos is already illegal in the UK. The new rule specifically criminalizes creating or soliciting such content.
6. What did Liz Kendall say about these images?
She stated that these images are “weapons of abuse” and not harmless content.
7. How does this relate to Ofcom?
Ofcom, the UK media regulator, launched an investigation into X’s handling of Grok AI following reports of deepfake misuse. Kendall urged swift action and clear timelines from Ofcom.
8. What is the Online Safety Act’s role in this law?
Under the Online Safety Act, creating, sharing, or threatening to share non-consensual intimate images is a priority offence, increasing platform and individual accountability.
9. When will these new restrictions come into force?
The law is expected to go into effect in the coming days, closing previous legal loopholes.
10. Who can be prosecuted under this law?
Individuals who create or request non-consensual intimate AI-generated images, and platforms that allow them, can face criminal charges.
11. Does this apply only to images of adults?
No, it explicitly includes images of women and children.
12. How has Elon Musk responded?
Musk claimed that the criticism of Grok is an attempt to suppress free speech.
13. Which countries are scrutinizing Grok AI besides the UK?
Countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and India have raised concerns over Grok AI.
14. Is making AI deepfake images illegal even if they are not shared?
Yes, the new UK rules criminalize creating such images or soliciting someone to make them, regardless of sharing.
15. How serious is this offence under UK law?
It is considered a criminal offence, with potential prosecution for both individuals and platforms.
16. Are platforms like X responsible for policing this content?
Yes, platforms have a greater responsibility to prevent AI-generated non-consensual content under the Online Safety Act.
17. Why was previous legislation not enforced?
Although a law was passed in June 2025, the specific offence of creating or soliciting AI intimate images was not actively enforced until now.
18. What is Grok AI?
Grok is Elon Musk’s AI chatbot on X, capable of generating images, including problematic deepfakes, which has raised ethical and legal concerns.
19. What kind of images does this law target?
The law targets images showing people undressed, in underwear, or intimate content, without their consent, generated using AI.
20. What message is the UK government sending with this crackdown?
The UK government is emphasizing that non-consensual AI-generated intimate images are illegal and socially unacceptable, and violators will face full legal consequences.
