By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:United Kingdom media regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s X over the use of AI chatbot Grok to generate deepfake sexualised images, Aljazeera reported on Monday.

It has been reported that, Ofcom labelled the reports as “deeply concerning”, warning in a statement issued on Monday that the chatbot’s creation of nude deepfakes could amount to “intimate image abuse or pornography”, and that “sexualised images of children” could be considered “child sexual abuse material”.

The regulator, which has the power to ban Grok, is under pressure to act after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that the images produced by Grok were “disgusting” and “unlawful”, and that Musk’s social media platform X had to “get a grip” on the application.

Ofcom said its investigation will determine whether X “failed to comply with its legal obligations”, and was launched after the company complied with an earlier request from the regulator to explain the steps it had taken to protect UK users.

Downing Street has meanwhile indicated that it is willing to consider leaving X, formerly known as Twitter, if Mr Musk’s company does not act.

Asked for a comment, X referred the AFP news agency to a previous statement, which said it took action against illegal content on X “by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary”.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said it was vital that Ofcom complete its investigation swiftly, as the public, and most importantly the victims, would not accept any delay.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said he had raised the situation with United States Vice President JD Vance, who had, he claimed, agreed that it was entirely unacceptable.