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Pseudonym dispute grows in xAI lawsuit
In the lawsuit filed in the US, while victims of fake images allegedly produced with Grok want to keep their names confidential, xAI demands the disclosure of real identities...
In a federal class action lawsuit in the US, the privacy battle between four plaintiffs using pseudonyms and the company xAI has intensified. The plaintiffs describe the emotional trauma they experienced due to fake nude images allegedly produced with Grok, while fearing that revealing their real identities would trigger a new wave of harassment.
The company, however, is seeking to lift the privacy protection previously granted by the court. xAI argues that plaintiffs should file the lawsuit under their real names and claims that knowing the identities is important for the public interest.
Highlights
- The four main plaintiffs in the case oppose the disclosure of their real names.
- Plaintiffs say that if their names are revealed, there will be risks of online doxxing and harassment.
- xAI wants the previous ruling allowing pseudonym use to be overturned.
- The company argues that the images involved in the case will not be made public.
Plaintiffs described fear and shame
In sworn statements dated May 29, the plaintiffs reported that the fake images allegedly produced earlier this year caused them severe emotional damage. Four individuals stated that if their names were disclosed, they could face more online harassment and doxxing.
In the application submitted on behalf of the plaintiffs, it was argued that the company's attempt to remove the right to use pseudonyms is a clear act of intimidation. Attorney Sophia Rios wrote that xAI is "downplaying the harm already caused" and trying to force the plaintiffs to back down.
The applications explained that the plaintiffs are ready to disclose their identities to the company but do not want to appear in public records. Their goal is to avoid being openly linked to the fake images and to prevent new online attacks.
xAI demands real names
In mid-May, xAI filed two separate motions in federal court seeking to reverse the decision allowing pseudonym use. The company's lawyers argued that civil procedure rules require parties to appear under their real identities and that this case does not qualify as an exception.
The company also claimed there was no specific threat or additional harm evidence presented on behalf of the plaintiffs. xAI's motion stated that since the fake images will not be made public in the case file, privacy concerns should be alleviated.
Lawyers argued that since the image itself will remain confidential, revealing the real identity of the plaintiff known as "South Carolina Doe" alone does not constitute a stigmatizing factor. Therefore, they claimed the case does not contain the kind of strong privacy protection that justifies pseudonym use.
Images allegedly spread via Grok triggered growing crisis
The Grok chatbot sparked major backlash earlier this year, with many people reportedly producing fake versions of women and bikini images through the system. The shared content included fake adult sexual images as well as images that appeared to depict children.
This process, centered on digital harassment allegations, has exposed the company to lawsuits and regulatory pressures worldwide. The text noted that xAI, also owned by SpaceX, has allocated over $500 million for the financial impacts of this process.
Plaintiffs: Damage will increase if our names are disclosed
The plaintiff identified as South Carolina Doe said they saw a "distinctive bikini image" online that portrayed them in a way they would never want to share. They expressed concern about employers or coworkers seeing this image and feared an increase in online attacks.
The same plaintiff stated that if their name appeared in public records, online users, including Musk supporters, could find and spread their name, track them, and produce more extreme fake images. The application expressed that this possibility is a major source of concern for them.
Another plaintiff known as New Jersey Doe said they saw people on X creating sexual images with Grok and later found two unwanted fake images of themselves. One depicted their body in a degrading way, and after messaging Grok to stop producing images about them, they believed they became a target of online bullying.
The plaintiff known as South Carolina Roe claimed that Grok produced explicit images allegedly from their childhood. According to court records, this person went to a house shared with their family by police in February and later learned that their father faced charges of possessing and distributing child abuse material.
This plaintiff alleged that Grok altered some family photos to depict them in a sexual act with their father. Although they have not seen the images themselves, the plaintiff wrote they fear that if these are published online, the consequences would be even more severe and that revealing their name would cause irreparable harm.
Context: The lawsuit has become part of a broader discussion on how the harm caused by generative AI to personal images is addressed in court. The core dispute between the parties centers on balancing the principle of public disclosure with the privacy of victims.
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