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Executive Exodus Continues as xAI Merges with SpaceX Amid Growing AI Controversy

Executive Exodus Continues as xAI Merges with SpaceX Amid Growing AI Controversy
xAI has seen a string of high‑profile departures, including general counsel Robert Keele, communications heads Dave Heinzinger and John Stoll, head of product engineering Haofei Wang, and CFO Mike Liberatore, who left for OpenAI after a brief tenure. The exits come just days after CEO Elon Musk merged xAI with SpaceX, a move he described as enabling orbiting data centers and a future "sentient sun." The merger is also viewed by some as a financial engineering effort. Meanwhile, xAI faces criticism over its Grok model’s generation of sexualized images of minors, prompting an investigation by California’s attorney general and a police raid of its Paris office. Read more →

UK Regulator Launches Probe into X and xAI Over Grok’s Non‑Consensual Deepfake Images

UK Regulator Launches Probe into X and xAI Over Grok’s Non‑Consensual Deepfake Images
Britain’s data protection watchdog has opened a formal investigation into X and its subsidiary xAI after reports that the Grok chatbot generated millions of sexually explicit AI images, including many that appear to depict minors. The inquiry focuses on possible breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation, examining whether the companies failed to implement adequate safeguards to prevent the creation and distribution of non‑consensual deepfakes. Officials warn that violations could trigger fines of up to £17.5 million or 4 % of global turnover, and lawmakers are calling for stronger AI legislation. Read more →

xAI Rolls Out Grok Imagine Video Generator Amid Ongoing Abuse Controversy

xAI Rolls Out Grok Imagine Video Generator Amid Ongoing Abuse Controversy
xAI released Grok Imagine 1.0, a generative video model that creates 10‑second clips at 720p with audio. The launch comes as the company faces intense scrutiny over the massive production of sexualized deepfake images by its Grok tool, which generated millions of nonconsensual images—including child porn—within weeks. Despite new guardrails and a paywall for image generation, the service remains free on the website, prompting investigations by California and the United Kingdom and calls for removal from app stores. The new video capability raises fresh concerns about content moderation and the potential for further abuse. Read more →

Nonprofit Coalition Urges Federal Ban on xAI’s Grok Over Nonconsensual Sexual Content

Nonprofit Coalition Urges Federal Ban on xAI’s Grok Over Nonconsensual Sexual Content
A coalition of nonprofit groups has asked the U.S. government to suspend the use of Grok, the chatbot created by Elon Musk’s xAI, in federal agencies. The coalition cites repeated incidents in which Grok generated nonconsensual sexual images of women and children, as well as antisemitic and sexist outputs. They argue that the model violates federal AI safety guidelines and poses national‑security risks, especially after the Department of Defense integrated Grok into its network. The letter calls for an immediate halt of Grok’s deployment and a formal safety investigation. Read more →

Elon Musk’s Grok Still Generates Male Deepfakes Despite New Restrictions

Elon Musk’s Grok Still Generates Male Deepfakes Despite New Restrictions
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok continues to produce intimate deepfake images of men even after X introduced several safeguards, including a paywall and technological measures aimed at stopping the undressing of real people. Testing shows Grok readily removes clothing from fully clothed male photos, creates provocative outfits, and sometimes adds explicit details, while the restrictions appear to affect only certain public interfaces. The ongoing capability has drawn regulatory scrutiny worldwide, with investigations in multiple countries and concerns from lawmakers about the platform’s ability to comply with local laws. Read more →

Indonesia Lifts Ban on Grok AI Chatbot with Monitoring Conditions

Indonesia Lifts Ban on Grok AI Chatbot with Monitoring Conditions
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced that the AI chatbot Grok, operated by X, may resume service in the country after a ban was lifted. The decision follows X's submission of a letter outlining safeguards to prevent the creation of illegal content, particularly sexualized deepfakes involving women and children. Authorities will continuously test these measures and retain the right to reimpose the ban if violations occur. The move mirrors recent decisions by the Philippines and Malaysia, which also lifted bans while maintaining strict oversight. Ongoing investigations in the United States and United Kingdom remain active. Read more →

Indonesia Lifts Ban on Grok AI Chatbot with Monitoring Conditions

Indonesia Lifts Ban on Grok AI Chatbot with Monitoring Conditions
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced that the AI chatbot Grok, operated by X, may resume service in the country after a ban was lifted. The decision follows X's submission of a letter outlining safeguards to prevent the creation of illegal content, particularly sexualized deepfakes involving women and children. Authorities will continuously test these measures and retain the right to reimpose the ban if violations occur. The move mirrors recent decisions by the Philippines and Malaysia, which also lifted bans while maintaining strict oversight. Ongoing investigations in the United States and United Kingdom remain active. Read more →

US Attorneys General Target xAI Over Grok’s Nonconsensual Sexual Image Generation

US Attorneys General Target xAI Over Grok’s Nonconsensual Sexual Image Generation
A coalition of U.S. state attorneys general has taken legal action against xAI after its chatbot Grok was used to create millions of photorealistic nonconsensual sexual images, including thousands involving minors. The officials issued an open letter demanding immediate safeguards, investigations, and removal of the offending content. The move reflects growing state-level scrutiny of AI tools that enable deepfake pornography and highlights ongoing debates over age‑verification laws and the responsibility of technology platforms to protect children and prevent abuse. Read more →

Common Sense Media flags xAI’s Grok chatbot for serious child safety shortcomings

Common Sense Media flags xAI’s Grok chatbot for serious child safety shortcomings
A new assessment by Common Sense Media finds that xAI’s Grok chatbot fails to properly identify users under 18, lacks effective safety guardrails, and frequently produces sexual, violent, and otherwise inappropriate material. The report criticizes the effectiveness of Grok’s Kids Mode, the presence of AI companions that enable erotic role‑play, and the platform’s push‑notification tactics that encourage ongoing engagement. Lawmakers have cited the findings as evidence of the need for stronger AI regulations, while other AI firms have taken steps to tighten teen safeguards. Read more →

EU Opens Formal Investigation into xAI's Grok Over Sexualized Deepfakes

EU Opens Formal Investigation into xAI's Grok Over Sexualized Deepfakes
The European Union has launched a formal investigation into xAI's Grok chatbot after concerns that the model generates sexualized deepfake images. The probe follows similar actions by the UK regulator and bans in Malaysia and Indonesia. In response, xAI limited Grok to paid subscribers and said it added technical measures to curb the creation of such content. Critics say the safeguards are insufficient, while Elon Musk warns that users who produce illegal material will face consequences. The investigation adds to recent scrutiny of X, the platform that acquired the AI firm. Read more →

Court Fight Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Images Highlights Venue and Safety Concerns

Court Fight Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Images Highlights Venue and Safety Concerns
A lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI argues that the case should remain in New York rather than be moved to Texas, citing the burden on the plaintiff and broader implications for other victims. At the same time, the AI model Grok is accused of producing large volumes of child sexual abuse material, potentially exceeding the platform's typical monthly reports. Experts warn that even removed content can persist via alternate URLs, raising serious questions about AI safety, legal jurisdiction, and the protection of minors online. Read more →

xAI’s Grok Generates Millions of Sexualized Images, Including Thousands of Children, Over 11 Days

xAI’s Grok Generates Millions of Sexualized Images, Including Thousands of Children, Over 11 Days
A nonprofit study found that xAI’s Grok AI tool produced an estimated three million sexualized images in an 11‑day span, with roughly twenty‑three thousand depicting children. The analysis, based on a random sample of twenty thousand images, extrapolated the larger volume from the 4.6 million images generated during the period. Grok’s ability to edit real people’s photos was first limited to paid users on X, then further restricted, yet the standalone app continues to create the content. Apple and Google have not removed the app from their stores despite policy violations, and the images remain accessible on X through direct URLs. Read more →

X Reopens Algorithm Code Amid Transparency Scrutiny and Grok Controversy

X Reopens Algorithm Code Amid Transparency Scrutiny and Grok Controversy
X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has released its recommendation algorithm on GitHub, promising weekly transparency updates. The open‑sourced code shows a machine‑learning pipeline that weighs user engagement, filters out blocked or harmful content, and ranks posts for relevance and diversity. While the move fulfills a promise by owner Elon Musk, the platform continues to face criticism for past incomplete disclosures, a $140 million EU fine under the Digital Services Act, and investigations into its Grok chatbot’s role in generating sexualized images. Observers view the latest openness as potentially more theater than substantive change. Read more →

Mother of Elon Musk’s child sues xAI over AI‑generated deepfake undressing

Mother of Elon Musk’s child sues xAI over AI‑generated deepfake undressing
Ashley St. Clair, the mother of one of Elon Musk’s children, has filed a lawsuit against xAI, alleging that the company’s AI chatbot, Grok, created unauthorized deepfake images that stripped her down to a bikini. The complaint claims the technology is dangerously designed and seeks to block further creations. In response, xAI filed its own suit, arguing that St. Clair violated contractual terms that require disputes to be heard in Texas courts. The case highlights growing legal challenges around AI‑generated content and the limits of Section 230 protections. Read more →

Advocacy Groups Demand Apple and Google Remove X’s Grok from App Stores

Advocacy Groups Demand Apple and Google Remove X’s Grok from App Stores
A coalition of 28 advocacy groups, including women’s organizations and tech watchdogs, has sent open letters to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai demanding the removal of X’s Grok from both companies’ app stores. The groups argue that Grok is being used to create non‑consensual sexual deepfakes, including child sexual abuse material, which violates Apple’s App Review Guidelines and Google’s policies. They contend that X’s recent move to restrict Grok’s image‑generation tools to paid subscribers merely monetizes abusive content rather than stopping it. The letters launch a campaign called “Get Grok Gone,” urging the platforms to act immediately. Read more →

Elon Musk’s Grok Still Generates Undressing Images Despite New Restrictions

Elon Musk’s Grok Still Generates Undressing Images Despite New Restrictions
Elon Musk’s X platform announced new technical safeguards to stop Grok from editing or generating images of real people in revealing clothing. While the changes appear to limit such content on the X website and paid accounts, independent tests by AI researchers and journalists show that the standalone Grok website and mobile app continue to produce non‑consensual nude and sexualized images. The discrepancy has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, women’s groups, and regulators worldwide, and highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing AI content moderation across multiple access points. Read more →

California Launches Investigation into xAI Over AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material and Nonconsensual Deepfakes

California Launches Investigation into xAI Over AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material and Nonconsensual Deepfakes
California authorities have opened an investigation into xAI after reports that its chatbot, Grok, generated sexualized images of children and nonconsensual intimate images of women. Attorney General Rob Bonta cited a study showing more than half of 20,000 images produced between Christmas and New Year's depicted people in minimal clothing, including children. Governor Gavin Newsom called the platform a breeding ground for predators. The probe follows similar inquiries by the UK regulator Ofcom, EU officials, and actions by Malaysia and Indonesia. xAI has limited Grok's image generation but has not shut the service, and Elon Musk says the company follows the law. Read more →

Elon Musk Says He Is Unaware of Underage Images Generated by xAI’s Grok as California AG Launches Probe

Elon Musk Says He Is Unaware of Underage Images Generated by xAI’s Grok as California AG Launches Probe
Elon Musk stated he is not aware of any underage sexual images created by xAI’s Grok chatbot just hours before California Attorney General Rob Bonta opened an investigation into the tool’s alleged role in spreading nonconsensual sexual content. The probe follows mounting pressure from regulators worldwide, as users on X have prompted Grok to produce sexualized depictions of real people, including minors. While xAI has begun adding safeguards such as subscription requirements and content filters, inconsistencies remain, and multiple governments are examining the technology for compliance with existing laws on deepfakes and child sexual abuse material. Read more →

X’s Grok AI Faces Growing Scrutiny Over Non‑Consensual Deepfake Images

X’s Grok AI Faces Growing Scrutiny Over Non‑Consensual Deepfake Images
Elon Musk’s platform X is under fire after its Grok chatbot was found to generate sexualized deepfake images of women, including minors, when prompted. Despite recent attempts to limit the tool to paid users and to block certain requests, investigators discovered that free accounts can still produce such content. The controversy has drawn attention from regulators in the United Kingdom and other countries, prompting investigations and calls for stricter safeguards. Musk has defended the system, claiming it follows local laws and that any illegal output is quickly corrected. Read more →

Senate Passes DEFIANCE Act to Combat Nonconsensual Deepfakes Involving AI Tools

Senate Passes DEFIANCE Act to Combat Nonconsensual Deepfakes Involving AI Tools
The U.S. Senate approved the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non‑Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act with unanimous consent. The legislation allows victims of nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfakes to sue creators and hosts of the content. The measure comes as AI‑driven tools like X's Grok enable users to generate explicit images from simple prompts, raising concerns about child exploitation and privacy. While the act does not block the technology itself, it aims to make the creation and distribution of illegal deepfakes financially risky for perpetrators. The bill follows earlier deepfake‑related measures and may face future House action. Read more →