The UK government is considering banning Elon Musk’s X social media platform due to concerns over its AI chatbot generating sexualized deepfake images of children. Downing Street stated that all options, including a potential boycott of X, are being evaluated, with support for media regulator Ofcom to intervene.
Ofcom has raised serious concerns with Musk’s X and xAI regarding their AI tool, Grok, producing inappropriate images of minors. This feature on Grok, developed by xAI, has been creating undressed and sexualized images of individuals, prompting calls for urgent action.
In response to the controversy, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson condemned the dissemination of intimate deepfakes online, emphasizing the need to address the issue promptly. The government is prepared to empower Ofcom to enforce penalties, including fines and website access restrictions for non-compliant firms, emphasizing the commitment to online safety.
The Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, has demanded urgent action from Musk’s social media company and pledged full support for Ofcom to take necessary enforcement actions against X and xAI. Kendall underlined the UK’s stance against the proliferation of harmful online content, calling for collective efforts to combat such materials.
Grok’s X account acknowledged the need for enhanced safeguards to prevent harmful content and ensure regulatory compliance. Musk announced the release of a new version of Grok, urging users to update the app for improved features, although specific details about the updates remain undisclosed.
This development underscores the growing scrutiny over online platforms and the importance of implementing stringent measures to protect users from inappropriate and harmful content.