X Seeks to Comply With the U.K. Law After Grok AI Deepfakes

In Focus

• Ofcom launched investigations into X on January 12, 2026
• Violation would attract a penalty of up to 10% of X’s global revenue
• Lobby groups want Google and Apple to remove Grok AI from their app stores

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says that X is taking steps to observe U.K. laws, the BBC reported. X’s compliance with the U.K. law comes days after its AI chatbot, Grok, generated sexualized deepfakes. The U.K. regulator Ofcom launched a probe into the issue on January 12, 2026, after receiving what it termed as “deeply concerning reports”.

Starmer Said U.K. Will Not Back Down

Addressing the British parliament, Starmer said he had been informed that the social media platform was pursuing full compliance with U.K. law as the X deepfake probe continues.

“To update the House, I have been informed this morning that X is acting to ensure full compliance with U.K. law. If so, that is welcome, but we’re not going to back down, and they must act. We will take the necessary measures. We will strengthen existing laws and prepare for legislation if it needs to go further,” Starmer said as cited by the BBC.

Starmer said X is complying with U.K. laws even as xAI continues to face widespread probes after Grok digitally undressed actual images and videos of women and children and circulated them widely on X.

Ofcom to Continue With X Probe

The Prime Minister did not reveal who had informed him about X’s decision. However, he said that the regulator will continue with the probe and that the government supports its power to take action against xAI if need arises.

Ofcom contacted xAI soon after the explicit deepfakes surfaced on X. The regulator had committed to assess whether there were compliance issues that needed investigation based on the response from X and xAI.

If the investigation reveals that X broke U.K. regulations on AI deepfakes, Ofcom can impose a penalty of up to 10% of its global revenue or £18 million, whichever is higher. The regulator coils move to court and seek orders to compel internet providers to block X access in the U.K. if the social media firm fails to comply.

News about Grok AI’s compliance with U.K. law surfaced weeks after the EU imposed a $140 million penalty on X. The EU fined X after investigations showed that it had breached transparency rules provided under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Calls to Block X on Google, Apple

As regulation of AI deepfakes takes course in the U.K., advocacy groups, activists, and tech watchdogs are calling on Google and Apple to remove X and Grok AI from their app stores.

“We are really imploring Apple and Google to take this extremely seriously. They are enabling a system in which thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people, particularly women and children, are being sexually abused through the help of their own app stores,” UltraViolet’s campaign director Jenna Sherman stated as cited by Reuters.

The groups claim that the AI app creates obscene, illegal content, contrary to their terms and conditions.