British Labour MP Jess Asato has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, alleging that its Grok chatbot generated fake images of her in a bikini without her permission. The case, lodged at the High Court in London on Wednesday, June 3, invokes the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act. Asato is seeking damages and aims to establish a legal precedent holding companies responsible for the design and operation of their AI systems. The complaint centers on images created in January of this year, after she had publicly criticized the spread of AI-generated pornography online.
Context and Chronology of the Case
Asato’s legal action follows her public condemnation of the proliferation of AI-generated pornography. A third party used the Grok chatbot to produce the manipulated photographs without her consent. The MP described the incident as a severe invasion of privacy, likening it to a “digital stripping” — an unauthorized removal of clothing in the virtual space. The lawsuit was filed shortly after her public comments, and the timing underscores the ongoing debate about ethical boundaries of artificial intelligence.
‘Digital Stripping’ in the Online Realm
“No one could simply approach me on the street, take off my clothes and put me in a bikini,” Asato declared in her testimony. “I don’t see why anyone should be able to do that to me online, because the feeling, although not exactly the same, is very similar.” She emphasized that the emotional injury is genuine, even when the violation occurs digitally. The parliamentarian hopes that other individuals will join her lawsuit to strengthen the cause and expand its impact.
Political Backing for Legal Action
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has offered unreserved support for Asato’s judicial move. “Jess Asato is absolutely right in the measure she is taking,” Starmer told journalists, branding the generated images as “repugnant” and criticizing Grok’s performance. The backing from the head of government adds political weight to the case, signaling that the UK may tighten regulations on deepfakes. Starmer’s comments also reflect a growing governmental concern over AI-generated content and its impact on individuals.
Liability Before the Rule Change
A law passed last year in the UK made it illegal to create or request deepfake images of adults without consent. However, Asato argues that xAI must be held accountable for the harm inflicted before the rules were altered. “After the damage is done, it is already done,” she stated, comparing the situation to defective products that are recalled too late. In January, following international backlash, Musk’s company announced it would no longer allow edits that remove clothing from real people on Grok, but the MP maintains that this does not erase what occurred.
A Pattern of Complaints Against Grok
In January, American writer Ashley St. Clair, who is the mother of one of Elon Musk’s children, also filed a lawsuit against xAI in New York. She alleges that Grok generated explicit images of her, including one in which she appeared as a minor. That case reveals a pattern of grievances against the AI tool. xAI has not responded to press inquiries made on Thursday, June 4.