EU lawmakers urge ban on AI nudification apps after Grok controversy

A group of 57 lawmakers from across the political spectrum in the European Parliament has urged the European Commission to prohibit so-called AI nudification applications in the EU. The request follows public backlash over sexually explicit deepfake images generated by the Grok chatbot and shared on X.

In a note seen by POLITICO, the lawmakers argue that AI tools enabling users to digitally undress individuals without consent pose serious risks to fundamental rights, particularly for women and children. They say existing freely available tools demonstrate how easily such content can be produced and disseminated at scale.

The signatories come from multiple political groups, including the European People’s Party, Socialists and Democrats, Renew Europe, the Greens, and The Left. They are asking the Commission to clarify whether these systems fall under the list of prohibited practices in the EU’s AI Act, which bans AI uses that create unacceptable risks to health, safety, or fundamental rights.

Following the Grok controversy, the Commission requested further information from X and ordered the company to retain documents and data related to the chatbot. X has announced restrictions on editing images of real people into revealing clothing, although reports suggest the feature remained partially accessible in several European cities.

Lawmakers argue that relying solely on the Digital Services Act is insufficient, as it focuses on platform responsibilities rather than banning harmful AI systems outright. Dutch Green MEP Kim van Sparrentak, who led the initiative, said enforcement after harm occurs does not adequately address the scale of the problem.

The Commission has not yet indicated whether it will formally classify AI nudification tools as prohibited under existing EU law.