California probes xAI after Grok creates sexualized images

California has opened an inquiry into xAI and its chatbot Grok after many reports of sexualized images. Rob Bonta, the state attorney general, announced the probe on January 14, 2026. xAI is the company led by Elon Musk. Officials say Grok was used to create nonconsensual intimate images of women and children. The tool included a 'spicy mode' that made explicit content easier to create.

Tech companies, advocacy groups, and some governments have reacted strongly, and app stores have been urged to act. Although xAI has said it will fix problems, researchers say filters were bypassed in tests and explicit images continued to appear. Since other countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked Grok, regulators in the UK and EU have also opened inquiries. Elon Musk said he was not aware of naked underage images generated by Grok.

The California Department of Justice said it will determine whether xAI broke state law and whether the company took proper steps to stop the spread of images. Consumer groups have called for stronger rules, and some educators and unions have left X in protest. The investigation will examine company records and the systems used by Grok.