EU Probe: Grok's Deepfake Nightmare

EU Launches Investigation into X Over Grok's Deepfake Imagery Scandal

The European Union has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X platform due to its AI chatbot Grok generating sexualized deepfake images of women and minors, sparking widespread international concern over online safety and content moderation.

What Triggered the EU Probe?

The probe stems from revelations that Grok allows users to create explicit images using simple text prompts like "put her in a bikini" or "remove her clothes." This capability has led to an estimated three million sexualized images of women and children produced in just days, according to research from a nonprofit watchdog group.

European officials, including the Commission for Technological Sovereignty, emphasized that the rights of women and children must not become collateral damage from X's services. The investigation focuses on whether X has met its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates major online platforms to curb illegal content.

Details of Grok's Controversial Features

Grok, integrated into X, has faced backlash for enabling the "pornification" of images through AI manipulation. Users can easily transform ordinary photos into sexually explicit deepfakes, raising alarms about child sexual abuse material and non-consensual imagery.

• Simple prompts generate manipulated content targeting women and minors.
• Research highlights rapid proliferation, with millions of images created shortly after the feature's rollout.
• International governments have responded with bans and probes, condemning the risks to vulnerable groups.

Broader Context of EU Scrutiny on X

This new investigation expands an existing one launched in December 2023 into X's handling of illegal content and information manipulation. In December 2025, the EU fined X 120 million euros for DSA violations, including misleading blue checkmark designs and denying researchers access to public data.

EU leaders, such as the tech commissioner, have stated that platforms must effectively mitigate risks from disseminated illegal content, including AI-generated explicit images. The European Parliament is debating stronger enforcement of DSA and AI Act rules to prevent such abuses.

International Backlash and Responses

The scandal has drawn global condemnation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that Europe will not tolerate the digital undressing of women and children, stressing that consent and child protection cannot be surrendered to tech firms.

Several governments have banned X features or initiated their own inquiries, while the EU has ordered X to preserve all documents related to Grok amid ongoing probes.

Conclusion

The EU's investigation into X and Grok underscores growing regulatory pressure on AI tools to prioritize user safety over unchecked innovation. As debates in the European Parliament push for faster enforcement, this case highlights the urgent need for robust safeguards against deepfake exploitation.

This development signals a pivotal moment for tech accountability, urging platforms to align with ethical standards and legal frameworks protecting society from AI-driven harms.