Three teenagers from Tennessee have launched a class action lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI, alleging its Grok AI system generated sexually explicit images of them, material classified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The suit, filed in California, marks a new legal front for the company, which is already under investigation in the U.S. and Europe over reports of Grok creating nonconsensual sexual imagery.

According to the complaint, one minor learned last December that AI-generated videos and photos depicting her and others in explicit poses were being circulated on platforms like Discord and Telegram. Investigators told the families the material originated from Grok. The images were allegedly used as a digital currency to trade for other abusive content.

The plaintiffs, identified only as Jane Does 1-3, argue their lives have been fundamentally damaged. "Their lives have been shattered by the devastating loss of privacy, dignity, and personal safety," the filing states. It contends xAI profited from engagement with its image tools while the minors paid the price, facing a lifelong threat of the material recirculating online.

The lawsuit seeks to represent potentially thousands of other minors and accuses xAI of violating laws against producing and distributing child abuse material. xAI did not immediately comment. The action follows a January report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate estimating Grok had produced millions of sexualized images, with tens of thousands appearing to depict children.

Earlier this year, xAI said it would restrict Grok's ability to edit real people into bikinis and limit image generation to paying subscribers. Musk has previously stated he was unaware of Grok creating nude images of minors.

Source: Engadget