French and UK Authorities Intensify Investigations into Elon Musk's X and Grok AI
Published 3 February 2026
Highlights
- French authorities raided Elon Musk's X offices in Paris, investigating potential cybercrimes including unlawful data extraction and child pornography.
- The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is probing Musk's AI tool, Grok, for generating harmful sexualized images without consent.
- The European Commission and UK regulators are scrutinizing X and Grok for potential GDPR violations, with fines up to £17.5m possible.
- Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for questioning by French prosecutors in April.
- The investigation into Grok AI's creation of sexual deepfakes has raised significant concerns about data protection and privacy laws.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: French and UK Authorities Intensify Investigations into Elon Musk's X and Grok AI
French and UK authorities have intensified their scrutiny of Elon Musk's social media platform X and its AI tool, Grok, amid allegations of cybercrime and data protection violations. The Paris prosecutor's cybercrime unit recently raided the French headquarters of X, investigating potential offences such as unlawful data extraction and complicity in the possession of child pornography. This development follows a series of complaints regarding the platform's algorithm and its AI tool, Grok, which has been accused of generating harmful sexualized images without consent.
French Investigation into X's Operations
The investigation by French prosecutors began in January 2025, initially focusing on content recommended by X's algorithm. It was later expanded to include Grok, Musk's controversial AI chatbot. The Paris prosecutor's office has summoned Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for questioning in April, as they were the platform's managers during the alleged offences. The investigation now encompasses potential crimes such as the organized distribution of child pornography and the infringement of image rights through sexual deepfakes.
UK's Data Protection Probe
In a parallel development, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched an inquiry into Grok's compliance with GDPR, the data protection law. The ICO is examining whether appropriate safeguards were implemented in Grok's design to prevent the creation and circulation of indecent images. William Malcolm, the ICO's executive director for regulatory risk and innovation, expressed concern over the misuse of personal data to generate intimate images without consent. Breaches of GDPR could result in significant fines, potentially reaching £17.5m or 4% of global turnover.
Broader European Concerns
The European Commission has also announced an investigation into xAI, Grok's parent company, over concerns about the AI tool's impact on privacy and data protection. The Commission is coordinating with French authorities to address these issues. Meanwhile, public criticism of X and Grok has intensified, with victims, online safety campaigners, and politicians condemning the platform's handling of sexualized deepfakes.
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Scenario Analysis
The ongoing investigations into X and Grok AI could have significant legal and financial implications for Elon Musk's companies. If found guilty of GDPR violations, X could face hefty fines, impacting its financial stability. The scrutiny may also lead to stricter regulations on AI tools and social media platforms, particularly concerning data protection and privacy. Experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for how AI-generated content is regulated in the future, potentially prompting other countries to reevaluate their data protection laws. As the investigations unfold, Musk's companies will need to demonstrate compliance and implement robust safeguards to mitigate further legal challenges.
French and UK authorities have intensified their scrutiny of Elon Musk's social media platform X and its AI tool, Grok, amid allegations of cybercrime and data protection violations. The Paris prosecutor's cybercrime unit recently raided the French headquarters of X, investigating potential offences such as unlawful data extraction and complicity in the possession of child pornography. This development follows a series of complaints regarding the platform's algorithm and its AI tool, Grok, which has been accused of generating harmful sexualized images without consent.
French Investigation into X's Operations
The investigation by French prosecutors began in January 2025, initially focusing on content recommended by X's algorithm. It was later expanded to include Grok, Musk's controversial AI chatbot. The Paris prosecutor's office has summoned Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for questioning in April, as they were the platform's managers during the alleged offences. The investigation now encompasses potential crimes such as the organized distribution of child pornography and the infringement of image rights through sexual deepfakes.
UK's Data Protection Probe
In a parallel development, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched an inquiry into Grok's compliance with GDPR, the data protection law. The ICO is examining whether appropriate safeguards were implemented in Grok's design to prevent the creation and circulation of indecent images. William Malcolm, the ICO's executive director for regulatory risk and innovation, expressed concern over the misuse of personal data to generate intimate images without consent. Breaches of GDPR could result in significant fines, potentially reaching £17.5m or 4% of global turnover.
Broader European Concerns
The European Commission has also announced an investigation into xAI, Grok's parent company, over concerns about the AI tool's impact on privacy and data protection. The Commission is coordinating with French authorities to address these issues. Meanwhile, public criticism of X and Grok has intensified, with victims, online safety campaigners, and politicians condemning the platform's handling of sexualized deepfakes.
What this might mean
The ongoing investigations into X and Grok AI could have significant legal and financial implications for Elon Musk's companies. If found guilty of GDPR violations, X could face hefty fines, impacting its financial stability. The scrutiny may also lead to stricter regulations on AI tools and social media platforms, particularly concerning data protection and privacy. Experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for how AI-generated content is regulated in the future, potentially prompting other countries to reevaluate their data protection laws. As the investigations unfold, Musk's companies will need to demonstrate compliance and implement robust safeguards to mitigate further legal challenges.
