Grok, Elon Musk and Newsom: CA probing X chatbot’s images at governor’s urging
California is launching an investigation into X’s AI chatbot, Grok, after reports that it is generating nude images of people online.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the investigation on Wednesday, writing in a news release that the “avalanche of reports” about the production and dissemination of the material is “shocking.” Grok is a creation of one of Elon Musk’s companies, xAI, which announced new restrictions on usage amid the sexualization complaints.
“We have zero tolerance for the AI-based creation and dissemination of nonconsensual intimate images or of child sexual abuse material,” Bonta said. He said his office would be looking into “whether and how xAI violated the law.”
California passed laws in 2024 that prohibited the creation and distribution of computer-generated sexual images, and required platforms to block and remove reported material. Those laws were strengthened during the last legislative session.
For weeks, reports have been circulating about users asking Grok to edit images so the subject is wearing a bikini.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the investigation had come at its urging.
“xAI’s decision to create and host a breeding ground for predators to spread nonconsensual sexually explicit AI deepfakes, including images that digitally undress children, is vile,” Newsom wrote, on X. He said he wanted the AG to “hold xAI accountable.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the account belonging to X Safety posted that it had made several changes to Grok that would prevent further explicit image generation.
“We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis. This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers.”
The company added that only paid subscribers would have access to image generation and the ability to edit images “via the Grok account” going forward.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Grok, Elon Musk and Newsom: CA probing X chatbot’s images at governor’s urging."
