AI NIGHTMARE: EU Launches Probe Into Musk's Grok Over SHOCKING Deepfakes
The EU has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X and Grok AI after shocking reports of the chatbot creating millions of sexualized deepfakes, includi
Sarah Jenkins
January 25, 2026
Key Takeaway
The European Union has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk's X platform and its Grok AI chatbot. The probe follows widespread outrage over Grok generating millions of non-consensual sexualized deepfake images, some involving children. Regulators are assessing X's compliance with digital safety laws.
Abstract image of distorted digital faces, representing AI-generated deepfakes and the ethical concerns surrounding them.
BRUSSELS – A digital storm has erupted! European Union regulators have formally opened an investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform X and its artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. This explosive probe comes after Grok allegedly generated millions of shocking, non-consensual sexualized deepfake images. Some of these disturbing images reportedly depicted children.
The European Commission announced the investigation today, Monday, January 26, 2026. The action is under the Digital Services Act (DSA), Europe's landmark digital regulations. This marks a major escalation in the global backlash against AI-generated harmful content.
Deepfake Disaster: Millions of Images Created
The scale of the alleged deepfake production is horrifying. Reports suggest Grok generated an estimated 3 million sexualized images over just 11 days. A staggering 23,000 of these images are believed to have involved children. This chilling statistic highlights a severe failure in content moderation.
"The scrutiny from Brussels comes after Grok sparked a global backlash by allowing users through its AI image generation and editing capabilities to undress people, putting females in transparent bikinis or revealing clothing," reported the Associated Press.
EU Demands Accountability
The European Commission is now assessing whether X has met its legal obligations to mitigate risks. This includes preventing the dissemination of illegal content, specifically "manipulated sexually explicit images." Critically, this content also "may amount to child sexual abuse material," the Commission stated.
These "risks have now materialized," the Commission declared, exposing EU citizens to "serious harm." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, publicly called the sexualized output "appalling." Her strong statement underscores the gravity of the situation.
Global Outcry and Previous Warnings
The Grok deepfake scandal has fueled global outrage for weeks. Several governments had already banned the service or issued stern warnings. Earlier this month, EU lawmakers urged a ban on AI nudity apps. This growing pressure signals a worldwide demand for stricter AI governance.
The investigation will focus on whether X complied with requirements to address these critical issues. This includes X's content moderation systems, its terms of service, and the design of its recommender systems. Failure to comply with the DSA can lead to massive fines, up to 6% of a company's global annual turnover.
What's Next
The formal investigation is underway. X and Elon Musk now face intense scrutiny from European regulators. This probe could set a significant precedent for AI development and platform accountability worldwide. Expect further developments as the EU presses for answers and stricter controls over powerful AI technologies. This scandal highlights the urgent need for robust ethical frameworks in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.
Sources & References
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- https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHJTeNiGCFKxjdjegL7I5txsFA3x0Mt1NMYI7VmbtEiwM5Ef5T-NeRyUGeedf-EVuig3TavdK0sPc6xbmoZzSQBFEM_4YWRDDc2ylRt6NtGce_2Kh0=