The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has placed a formal investigation into the social media platform X on a "high priority" footing. This urgent action follows widespread reports of the platform's built-in AI chatbot, Grok, being misused to generate non-consensual intimate imagery, including of children.
Ofcom's Swift Response to AI-Generated Abuse
Announced on 12 January 2026, the investigation is being conducted under the powers of the UK’s Online Safety Act. An Ofcom spokesperson stated the reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal material, particularly child sexual abuse content, were "deeply concerning." The regulator emphasised that platforms have a legal duty to protect UK users from illegal content and that it "will not hesitate to investigate" where failures are suspected, especially when children are at risk.
Grok is an artificial intelligence tool developed by xAI, a company founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk. It was integrated into X, formerly known as Twitter. The scandal erupted when users began prompting the AI to "digitally undress" images of people without their consent, predominantly targeting women and minors. Victims have described the trend as violating and dehumanising, sparking a global outcry.
Expert Advice: Fortifying Your Digital Family Album
In light of these developments, protecting personal and family images online has become critically important. Tech and AI expert Jacob Strauss provided The Mirror with several key strategies to help safeguard your digital likeness.
Proactive Image Protection Techniques
Strategic Framing and Cropping: For children's photos, crop images above the chest and favour action or group shots over individual portraits. Avoid posting pictures in swimwear and ensure school uniforms or name badges are not visible.
Disruptive Watermarks: Applying faint, diagonal watermarks or semi-transparent stickers over clothing can significantly hinder AI models like Grok from accurately manipulating an image.
Quality as a Defence: Since AI tools work best with high-quality, well-lit photos, consider sharing lower-resolution images taken from angles or with busy backgrounds to reduce manipulation accuracy.
Essential Privacy and Sharing Adjustments
Lock Down Account Settings: Set all social media profiles to private, regularly review followers, and disable options that allow others to download your media or reshare your content.
Scrub Metadata and Locations: Always remove hidden metadata and geotags from photos before uploading. Avoid posting images that show identifiable landmarks near your home or your child's school.
Use Secure Sharing Methods: For sensitive family photos, move away from public feeds. Utilise expiring links, invite-only digital albums, or features like "Close Friends" lists to control access.
What to Do If You're Targeted
If you discover an image has been misused, act immediately. Document everything with screenshots and URLs before reporting it to the platform. Adults can use services like StopNCII.org to help trigger removals. For cases involving minors, report immediately to law enforcement and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's "Take It Down" program.
The Ofcom investigation into X and the misuse of Grok underscores a pressing new frontier in online safety and digital regulation. As AI technology becomes more accessible, understanding how to shield your personal digital footprint is no longer optional—it is essential for modern family life.
