Published on 9 January 2026, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has asked Ofcom to use the full enforcement powers available under the Online Safety Act after reports that xAI’s Grok enabled the creation of non‑consensual intimate images. She added that she expects Ofcom to set out next steps within days, and reminded xAI that the Act allows courts to order access restrictions on services that refuse to comply with UK law. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/technology-secretary-statement-on-xais-grok-image-generation-and-editing-tool))
xAI has since limited Grok’s image generation and editing features to paying subscribers. Independent reporting indicates the standalone Grok site or app continued to allow image creation for non‑subscribers, prompting questions about the effectiveness of the change. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/09/x-restricts-groks-image-generation-to-paying-subscribers-only-after-drawing-the-worlds-ire/?utm_source=openai))
Under the Act, Ofcom can impose fines of up to the higher of £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, and in the most serious cases seek business‑disruption measures, including court‑ordered access restriction orders to block services for UK users. Ofcom has also warned that failure to respond to statutory information requests attracts penalties. ([ofcom.org.uk](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/time-for-tech-firms-to-act-uk-online-safety-regulation-comes-into-force?utm_source=openai))
Ofcom’s guidance on improving online safety for women and girls, finalised on 25 November 2025, sets expectations on services to prevent and respond to gendered abuse, including non‑consensual intimate images and deepfakes. The regulator has urged immediate action and highlighted evidence that the overwhelming majority of reported deepfake intimate image abuse targets women. ([ofcom.org.uk](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/a-safer-life-online-for-women-and-girls/?utm_source=openai))
The first illegal‑harms duties under the Online Safety Act required all in‑scope services to complete illegal content risk assessments by 16 March 2025 and begin implementing proportionate safety measures from 17 March 2025, subject to Parliamentary approval of the codes. Ofcom has signalled early enforcement against platforms that fall short. ([ofcom.org.uk](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/time-for-tech-firms-to-act-uk-online-safety-regulation-comes-into-force?utm_source=openai))
New criminal offences are also being brought into force. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 creates an offence of intentionally creating a ‘purported intimate image’ of an adult without consent or reasonable belief in consent, with ministers indicating commencement is imminent. Separately, the Government has committed to legislate in the Crime and Policing Bill on taking intimate images without consent and has announced plans to ban ‘nudification’ tools. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/18/part/7/crossheading/purported-intimate-images/enacted?utm_source=openai))
For regulated providers, the Grok episode tests compliance on three fronts: the design and deployment of generative image features; rapid detection and removal of illegal intimate images, which were classified a priority offence under the Online Safety Act in September 2024; and the ability to evidence risk assessments and decision‑making to Ofcom on request. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-intimate-image-abuse-as-government-strengthens-online-safety-laws?utm_source=openai))
Firms should expect further regulatory activity in the near term. Ofcom’s roadmap indicates final super‑complaints guidance in February 2026 and preparatory work to exercise technology notice powers from April 2026, alongside additional consultations for categorised services over the summer. DSIT has asked Ofcom to update on Grok within days. ([ofcom.org.uk](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/roadmap-to-regulation?utm_source=openai))