The EU is probing Grok over its spreading of sexual AI images

• Grok is facing another investigation over AI-generated sexual images — this time from the EU.
• The European Commission said it had opened a probe into X over the spread of images generated by Grok.
• X previously said it had removed Grok's ability to edit images of real people into revealing clothing after a global backlash.

The European Union is launching an investigation into Grok as Elon Musk's AI chatbot continues to face backlash over its spreading of AI-generated sexual images.

The European Commission, the bloc's governing body, said on Monday that it had opened a formal investigation into X over the spread of illegal images, including possible child sexual abuse material, generated by Grok on the social media site.

The Commission said it would also extend an ongoing investigation into X's recommendation algorithm, with the regulator previously fining the social media platform $140 million over its "deceptive" blue checkmarks.

Under the EU's Digital Services Act, large social media platforms can face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover for violations, and temporary suspension from the European Union as a last resort.

When asked for comment on the new investigation, xAI sent an automatic email response that did not address the issue.

It comes after X said earlier this month that it had implemented "technological measures" to prevent users from editing images of real people into revealing clothing, after a wave of global backlash over the circulation of AI-generated sexual images on the site.

X made the change after California's attorney general and the UK media regulator both launched investigations into Grok — but Business Insider's Henry Chandonnet found that the AI chatbot could still be used to make sexualized images in the days after.

Grok was also temporarily banned in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines over the AI images, although Malaysia and the Philippines later said they would lift their bans after receiving assurances from xAI.

Musk responded to the criticism on X in early January, telling one user, "Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content."