X faces Canadian privacy probe over sexualized deepfake images

Canada's privacy commissioner has expanded an existing investigation into X to include xAI and its chatbot Grok after reports the service generated sexualized deepfake images; the probe will examine whether valid consent was obtained for use of Canadians' personal information.

Canada's Privacy Commissioner has expanded an ongoing investigation into X Corporation to include xAI, the developer of the AI chatbot Grok. The move followed media reports and growing concern that Grok produced sexualized deepfake images of real people. The initial probe, opened in February 2025, was examining how X collected, used and disclosed Canadians' personal information to train AI models. The expanded review will specifically assess whether valid consent was obtained for creating such deepfakes using Canadians' data. What the watchdog said: - The Office of the Privacy Commissioner announced the investigation expansion on Jan. 14 to include xAI and Grok. - The expanded inquiry will examine whether X Corp. and xAI obtained valid consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of Canadians' personal information to create deepfakes, including explicit content. - An earlier probe launched in February 2025 was focused on X's handling of Canadians' data for AI training. - As of the report, Canadian authorities had not taken enforcement actions and the investigation was ongoing. Summary: The investigation broadens scrutiny of how X and its affiliated AI unit handle Canadians' personal information amid international attention on Grok's outputs. Undetermined at this time.