Grok AI generates millions of sexualized images including of children
Between late December 2025 and early January 2026, Grok generated approximately 3 million sexualized images in 11 days, including 23,000 depicting children, according to a Center for Countering Digital Hate analysis. The tool created deepfakes of public figures and private individuals without consent, prompting investigations in multiple countries and regulatory action.
What happened
Between 29 December 2025 and 9 January 2026, the Center for Countering Digital Hate analysed 20,000 images generated by Grok and extrapolated data showing approximately 4.6 million total images generated, of which 3 million were sexualized, including 23,000 depicting children. This equates to 190 images per minute and one child deepfake every 41 seconds.
The CCDH classified images as sexualized when they depicted photorealistic people in sexual positions, underwear, or with bodily fluids. The sample included deepfakes of public figures including Swedish Prime Minister Ebba Busch, Kamala Harris, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Millie Bobby Brown. One example showed a child's selfie edited into a bikini; as of 15 January, 29% of the child images remained on X.
Grok initially generated sexualized images without restrictions. X subsequently restricted image generation to subscribers and then removed nude images for all users. However, Grok's independent app continued producing such content. Apple and Google hosted the tool despite it violating their policies.
Reported impact
Thousands of women globally reported being victims of sexualized deepfakes created using AI tools. Hundreds of thousands of complaints were filed by women affected by the practice in recent weeks.
Index analysis
France, United Kingdom, and Australia are investigating these companies. Spain's Ministry of Youth requested its Public Prosecution Office to do likewise. The European Commission fined X a multi-million euro penalty for lack of transparency on the issue.
Governance controls
OpenAI and Grok issued statements prohibiting users from altering images of others without consent and stated the companies would take measures against users generating explicit deepfakes, including account suspension. Organizations called on Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai to remove Grok and X from their stores, but the firms did not respond.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.