The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is conducting an inquiry into Elon Musk’s xAI after concerns that its Grok chatbot has been generating inappropriate images of individuals without consent. The ICO has sent a formal request to xAI in early January, demanding clarification on this matter.

William Malcolm, ICO’s executive director, emphasized the need to assess xAI’s compliance with data protection laws and stated, ‘We will take necessary actions to safeguard public interests if any violations are found.’

Simultaneously, UK communications regulator Offcom is scrutinizing xAI’s adherence to age verification laws for platforms handling adult content.

In a parallel development, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned social media at the World Governments Summit, labeling it as ‘a failed state’ and announcing proposed legislation banning social media access for minors under 16, holding platform executives accountable, and prohibiting algorithmic enhancement of illegal content.

Criticizing xAI’s practices, Sánchez referred to a recent integration strategy by Musk that spread misinformation within Spain. Musk lashed back, describing Sánchez as authoritarian. These events echo government scrutiny across Europe, Australia, Canada, and parts of Asia regarding Musk’s platform practices.

Sánchez’s firm stance on regulating online activities underscores a growing global drive to hold social networks accountable.