Grok, the AI assistant on the social network X, acknowledged on Friday the existence of “flaws” that allowed users to obtain sexual images involving minors or women, prompting protests around the world and the expansion of a judicial investigation in France.
Grok logo – AFP/Archives Lionel Bonaventure
“We have identified flaws in our safeguards and are urgently correcting them- child pornography is illegal and prohibited,” Grok’s X account wrote on Friday, in response to a user following several days of reports on the platform.
These reports concerned the actions of internet users who had submitted photos or videos of real people, including children and teenagers, to Grok and had the AI assistant edit them to depict those people fully or partially nude.
xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company that develops Grok, has not publicly responded to this latest controversy surrounding its AI assistant, which has already been singled out in recent months for controversial statements on the war in Gaza, the India-Pakistan conflict, and for antisemitic remarks.
On Friday, questions sent by AFP to xAI received an automatic reply stating that “traditional media lie,” without further comment.
Its Grok bot, however, told the user that a company in the US “faces civil or criminal proceedings if it knowingly facilitates or fails to prevent the generation” of child pornographic content.
The creation and dissemination of child pornographic content are punishable in the US under Section 2256 of the US federal criminal code and the Enforce Act, a 2025 US law on digital crimes against minors.
In addition to minors, Grok’s flaws have also affected adult women who saw their photos published on social networks edited by Grok to undress them, at users’ request.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology sent a formal notice to X on Friday, demanding a detailed report within 72 hours on the measures taken to remove the “obscene, nude, indecent, and sexually suggestive content” generated by Grok without the consent of the women affected, according to the letter published in the Indian press.
Investigation in Paris
In France, the Paris public prosecutor’s office on Friday extended an investigation opened since the summer into the social network X, to examine new accusations against Grok of generating and disseminating child pornographic content.
Shortly beforehand, three ministers and two members of parliament had announced they were taking legal action against the generation and distribution of fake sexual videos.
The initial investigation into X was opened in July following reports against the social network and its executives, who were accused of having skewed the platform’s algorithm for the purposes of foreign interference.
“The offence of creating a sexual montage of a person without their consent is punishable by two years’ imprisonment and €60,000,” the Paris public prosecutor’s office recalled, confirming a report by the Politico website.
On Friday, Macronist MP Éric Bothorel and Socialist MP Arthur Delaporte referred the matter to the courts, leading to a widening of the investigations.
Ministers Roland Lescure, Anne Le Hénanff, and Aurore Bergé also announced on Friday that they had reported “manifestly illicit content” to the public prosecutor, requesting “its immediate removal.”
“Over the past few days, the Grok AI has enabled the generation and distribution of sexist and sexual content, particularly in the form of fake videos (deepfakes), targeting people without their consent,” they said. A report has also been made to the Pharos platform by the government, they added.
Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audio-visual and digital communication, has also been notified, “for possible breaches by X of its obligations under the Digital Services Act,” the European regulation on digital services.
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Louis Vuitton announced on Thursday the opening of a monogram-dedicated pop-up space in New York City, celebrating 130 years of the French maison’s iconic design.
Inside the Louis Vuitton monogram pop-up in Soho – Courtesy
Located in Soho, the hotel-inspired monogram pop-up hosts a series of immersive rooms dedicated to the Parisian brand’s iconic styles — the Speedy, Keepall, Noé, Alma, and Neverfull, alongside new and exclusive monogram editions.
Shoppers can visit the Keepall Lobby and Noé Champagne Bar, before entering the Alma Terrace, while a dedicated Care Services area demonstrates Louis Vuittons’s savoir-faire, as guests to bring their pieces to get restored.
Guest are also privy to an exclusive personalization services, including hot-stamping and distinctive patches available solely at the pop-up store.
First created in 1896 by Georges Vuitton as a tribute to his father, the Louis Vuitton monogram has become a veritable icon of luxury for the brand.
The monogram pop-up in New York City is open now through April.
Authentic Brands Group has expanded its partnership with longtime Eddie Bauer licensee Outdoor 5 (Oved) to accelerate the outdoor brand’s digital and wholesale growth across North America.
Eddie Bauer taps Oved to lead North American e-commerce and wholesale. – Eddie Bauer
Under the new agreement, Oved will assume responsibility for Eddie Bauer’s e-commerce and wholesale operations, as well as design and product development in the United States and Canada. The move reflects a strategic push to build on Eddie Bauer’s established online presence and engaged community of outdoor enthusiasts.
Catalyst Brands will continue to operate Eddie Bauer’s retail and outlet stores across North America. The structure is designed to align Oved’s strengths in wholesale and e-commerce with Catalyst’s retail expertise.
“Our relationship with Oved has been built on trust, shared vision, and operational excellence,” said Jarrod Weber, global president, sports and lifestyle at Authentic, owner of the Eddie Bauer brand.
“This next chapter aligns Eddie Bauer with a partner with expertise in the outdoor space, while allowing Catalyst to focus on its successful lifestyle portfolio. Together, we’re setting the brand up for long-term, sustainable growth.”
Oved brings expertise in outdoor and performance apparel, and has played a key role in Eddie Bauer’s development for more than 20 years.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Authentic and take on this exciting new role with Eddie Bauer,” said David Oved, CEO of Outdoor 5 (Oved).
“Eddie Bauer’s legacy of quality, performance, and adventure is unmatched, grounded in a century-long commitment to creating products that inspire confidence, comfort, and a genuine connection to the outdoors. We see tremendous opportunity to meet consumers where they are – shopping online and through leading multi-brand retailers, by enhancing the brand’s reach, growing its digital footprint, and delivering exceptional products across the market.”
Henkel AG has submitted a takeover offer for Olaplex Holdings Inc, according to people with knowledge of the matter, after the shampoo maker lost over 90% of its value since its initial public offering. The stock rose more than 36%.
Olaplex
Olaplex and Dusseldorf, Germany-based Henkel are in talks about a potential deal that could come together within weeks, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information.
Private equity firm Advent is Olaplex’s largest shareholder, with close to 75% ownership, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
No final decision has been made and the talks could end without a deal, the people said. Representatives for Advent and Henkel declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Olaplex didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Olaplex was up 25% to $1.69 at 2:45 p.m. in New York trading Wednesday, giving the company a market value of about $1.1 billion. It was worth $16 billion when it went public in 2021.
Olaplex, which makes shampoo and other hair products, was among a group of capital markets darlings such as sneaker maker On Holding AG and coffee chain Dutch Bros Inc. that went public at peak valuations.
Henkel manufactures chemicals for industrial and commercial goods and is the owner of hair-product brands including Schwarzkopf, its website shows.
Advent bought Olaplex in 2019 without disclosing terms, according to a statement at the time. Its products are sold to individuals consumers and are also used in professional hair salons.
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