xAI Class Action Alleges Grok AI Sexually Exploited Women With Deepfake Images, 3M+ Sexualized Images Generated In 11 Days
A woman, identified as Jane Doe, is now the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit filed on January 23 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing Musk’s xAI, which operates Grok, of creating “a generative artificial intelligence chatbot that humiliates and sexually exploits women and girls by undressing them and posing them in sexual positions in deepfake images publicly posted on X.”
The lawsuit comes after technical audits conducted by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) estimated that during a critical 11-day window between December 2025 and January 2026, Grok was used to generate over 3 million sexualized images, with approximately 20,000 depicting minors.
How Grok’s “Undressing” Tool Worked
The suit claims that xAI took a number of actions to encourage users to create “nudified” content, including a feature that would allow other users to prompt Grok to manipulate photos on X simply by tagging a person’s handle.
The tool included a “Spicy Mode” option where users could click on any photo posted to X and generate controversial sexual content. Unlike competitors like Google and OpenAI, xAI doesn’t use standard data filtration methods to remove sexual and abuse content from training data, according to the complaint.
The anonymous lead plaintiff said that the day after she posted a photo of herself fully clothed, she woke up to find that Grok had used that image to create a revealing bikini photo and posted it on X.
This case mirrors the disturbing patterns seen in other AI exploitation cases like the Megan Thee Stallion Defamation Lawsuit, Rapper Breaks Down On The Stand As $240K Therapy Bills And AI Deepfake Porn Are Exposed In Explosive Miami Trial, where AI-generated pornographic deepfakes destroyed reputations and careers.
xAI Monetized The Exploitation
Here’s the shocking part: when public backlash exploded, xAI didn’t shut down the feature. The suit claims that xAI’s response to public outrage was not to take the typical steps a company might take in such a situation, but rather that “it determined to further exploit the women victimized by the trend for additional commercial profit by limiting Grok’s deepfake capabilities on X to paid, premium X users on January 8, 2026.”
“The change in policy obviously did not stop Grok from creating deepfakes—instead, it monetized it,” the lawsuit states.
When CBS News tested Grok three weeks after xAI pledged to restrict the feature, they found it still works. Both on X and the standalone app, Grok continues to “bikini-fy” or digitally undress real people in the U.S., UK, and EU.
California AG Issues Cease And Desist
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a formal cease and desist order against xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk. The order, delivered on January 16, 2026, marks the first major enforcement action under California’s new AB 621 “Deepfake Pornography” law.
Under AB 621, the company faces statutory damages of up to $250,000 per malicious violation. With millions of images in circulation, the potential liabilities are astronomical.
The European Union, UK, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, and multiple other countries have opened formal investigations. Indonesia became the first country to ban Grok entirely in January 2026.
Who Qualifies To File A Claim
Doe wants to represent a nationwide class and South Carolina subclass of individuals who, within the statute of limitations, were depicted in sexualized or revealing deepfakes created and disseminated by Grok without their consent.
You may qualify if:
Your Image Was “Undressed” By Grok: Any woman whose photo was manipulated to show her in revealing clothing, bikinis, lingerie, or nude without consent.
The Image Was Posted On X: Deepfakes created and disseminated by Grok that appeared publicly on X (formerly Twitter).
No Time Limit Yet: The lawsuit was just filed January 23, 2026. Class certification and claim deadlines have not been established yet.
Similar to the Bree Smith Lawsuit, TV Meteorologist Sues NewsChannel 5 For Gender Discrimination, Deepfake Harassment, victims of AI-generated deepfakes are fighting back through civil litigation when criminal options fall short.
What The Lawsuit Demands
Doe claims xAI is guilty of strict liability, negligence, public nuisance, defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other things, and is in violation of California’s Unfair Competition law.
The 11 causes of action include:
- Product liability for defective design
- Negligence for failing to implement safeguards
- Defamation for false sexual depictions
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Violations of California’s Right of Publicity Statute
- Violations of California’s Unfair Business Practices Act
Related article: $2.45M Panda Restaurant Group Data Breach Class Action Settlement, 240K Employees’ SSNs Exposed, Claim Up To $5,000 By April 10
Current Status And Next Steps
No Settlement Yet: The case is in early litigation with no claim forms or deadlines established. Class certification must be approved before individual claims can be filed.
Claims Administrator Not Appointed: Once a settlement is reached or class certification occurs, a claims administrator will be designated and claim instructions will be published.
DEFIANCE Act Passes Senate: The US Senate unanimously passed the DEFIANCE Act, which would create a federal civil cause of action allowing victims to sue over non-consensual sexually explicit AI-generated content.
Critical Questions Answered
What is the xAI Grok AI deepfake exploitation class action?
It’s a lawsuit filed January 23, 2026 in California federal court (Case No. 5:26-cv-00772) accusing Elon Musk’s xAI of creating an AI chatbot that sexually exploits women by generating non-consensual deepfake images showing them undressed or in sexual positions. The lawsuit alleges xAI failed to implement safety guardrails and then monetized the exploitation by restricting the feature to paying subscribers.
Am I eligible to file a claim if I was victimized by Grok AI deepfakes?
You may qualify if Grok generated sexualized or revealing images of you without consent that were posted on X. The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of victims, though class certification has not yet been granted. Contact a mass tort attorney immediately to preserve your rights.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
No claim deadline has been established yet. The lawsuit was just filed in January 2026 and is in early litigation stages. Once class certification occurs or a settlement is reached, a claims administrator will publish specific deadlines and claim procedures.
How much money can I get from the xAI settlement or class action?
No settlement amount has been established. California’s AB 621 allows up to $250,000 per violation, and the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and violation of privacy rights. Final payout amounts will depend on settlement negotiations or jury verdicts.
What do I need to prove to file a claim?
You’ll likely need proof that Grok created a deepfake image of you, evidence it was posted publicly on X, documentation showing you never consented, and proof of harm (emotional distress, reputational damage, therapy costs). Screenshots, X post URLs, and medical records documenting psychological impact will be critical evidence.
How do I file a claim in the xAI Grok AI exploitation case?
The claims process has not been established yet. Once class certification is granted or a settlement reached, the court will appoint a claims administrator who will publish filing instructions, claim forms, and deadlines. Monitor court records at PACER.gov (Case No. 5:26-cv-00772) or sign up for legal newsletter updates.
Last Updated: February 14, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice. Deepfake exploitation victims should consult qualified mass tort attorneys immediately.
Next Steps: If Grok generated non-consensual deepfake images of you, document all evidence immediately, screenshot any images before they’re removed, and contact a mass tort attorney to discuss your legal options under California AB 621 and federal law.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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