JAKARTA - Ofcom, the media regulator in the UK, is demanding an explanation from X regarding Grok's editing capabilities. This request was made after the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based chatbot was used to generate abusive content.
Grok has recently become popular again because of its image editing capabilities. However, this fairly accurate image editing capability is widely misused to produce vulgar content. Most of the harassment content produced targets women and minors.
Ofcom urged X and xAI, as developers of Grok, to provide details in the form of protection measures that they have implemented. Through this investigation, Ofcom will determine whether X has failed to meet its legal obligations in protecting its users in the UK.
British law prohibits the creation or dissemination of vulgar images without consent, including those produced by AI. Technology platforms are also required to prevent users from finding illegal content and remove it as soon as possible.
"We have been in urgent contact with X and xAI to understand the steps they are taking to comply with their legal obligations," an Ofcom spokesperson said, citing Reuters on Tuesday, January 6.
Ofcom's insistence comes after several other countries have joined in investigating Grok's image editing capabilities. The French government has reported the case to local prosecutors, while the Indian government is investigating the results of its content and demanding explanations and improvements to the vulgar content circulating.
Unlike the harsh reaction in Europe and Asia, the US federal government has not yet made any statements. Institutions such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice are reportedly still silent on this issue.
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