UK To Make Creation Of Non-Consensual Intimate Images Illegal Amid
Grok AI Backlash
New Law Comes Into Force After Outcry Over AI-Generated Deepfake Images Linked to Elon Musk’s Grok Chatbot
LONDON — The United Kingdom is set to bring into force a law this week making it a criminal offence to create non-consensual intimate images, a move driven by widespread concerns over the misuse of generative AI tools — particularly Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot on social media platform X — for producing sexually explicit deepfake content without consent.
The announcement was made in Parliament by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who confirmed that provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 — passed last year but not yet implemented — will be activated this week to criminalize both the creation of non-consensual intimate images and the supply of tools designed to generate such content.
Kendall described AI-generated intimate images circulating online as “vile” and “weapons of abuse,” highlighting that the law recognises the psychological harm, exploitation and harassment caused by deepfake pornography, especially when targeted at women and girls.
Under the updated provisions:
Individuals who create or seek to create intimate images of another person without their consent will face criminal penalties.
Firms or developers who supply tools intended for creating such content — including “nudification” apps — could also be held liable as the legislation is expanded through the ongoing Crime and Policing Bill.
Legislative and Regulatory Response to Grok
The push to enforce the law follows a public and political outcry over the Grok AI tool’s image-generation feature, which regulators and rights advocates say has been exploited to create sexually explicit, non-consensual images of people — including content involving minors.
Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has launched a formal investigation into X over whether the platform has complied with its duties under the Online Safety Act 2023 to protect users from unlawful content like intimate image abuse or child sexual abuse material. The watchdog can levy fines of up to 10% of global revenue or £18 million and even seek to block access if violations are found.
While X — owned by Elon Musk — has restricted the Grok image editing function to paid subscribers in response to criticism, UK officials argue these measures are insufficient to prevent harm or comply with British legal obligations.
Political and Government Reaction
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that all regulatory options are on the table, including potentially revoking X’s ability to self-regulate or even blocking access to the platform in the UK if it cannot adequately curtail the dissemination of harmful AI-generated content.
Kendall reiterated that the government’s approach targets both individual offenders and the platforms or technologies that facilitate abuse, signaling a broader strategy to hold technology companies accountable for safety failures.
Global and Industry Ramifications
The controversy around Grok has sparked action beyond Britain. Other countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, have already blocked access to the Grok AI tool over similar concerns, and regulators in the European Union are examining compliance with their own online safety rules.
Elon Musk has publicly criticised the UK’s regulatory push, alleging it threatens free speech — a claim rejected by British officials who argue that protecting individuals’ dignity and safety outweighs unrestricted expression when it facilitates harm.
Background:
Under current UK law, while sharing non-consensual intimate images is already illegal, the creation or solicitation of such content had not previously been enforceable until the Data (Use and Access) Act’s provisions are brought into effect this week.
