Legislation to ban non-consensual sexual images signed amid Grok AI outcry

Ministers have signed regulations that create a criminal offence for creating or requesting non-consensual sexual deepfake images, due to take effect on February 6; social media company X has announced restrictions on its Grok AI account in response to criticism.

Ministers have brought forward emergency regulations to make it a criminal offence to create or request non-consensual sexual deepfake images of adults. The statutory instrument was signed in Parliament and will come into force on February 6, the standard 21 days after signing. The move follows public and official concern about sexualised images produced by the Grok AI chatbot on platform X. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister welcomed X's new restrictions while saying further action may be needed. Key facts: - The regulations create a criminal offence for creating or requesting non-consensual deepfake intimate images of adults. - The law will come into force on February 6, 21 days after the statutory instrument was signed. - Social media company X said it would geoblock the ability to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear and similar attire in jurisdictions where that is illegal, and limit some image features to premium users. - Ofcom has opened an investigation into the images produced by Grok and has said its work will continue. - Campaign groups, and senior ministers, said platform action was welcome but urged further measures to protect women and children online. Summary: The new regulations make specific non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence and are scheduled to take legal effect on February 6. Platform X has announced technical restrictions on Grok’s image features and regulators are continuing investigations; the government said it is prepared to strengthen existing laws if required.