The UK government is considering a potential ban on Elon Musk’s X social media platform due to concerns over its artificial intelligence chatbot generating sexualized deepfake images of children. Downing Street has indicated that all options, including boycotting X, are being considered, with support from media regulator Ofcom to address the issue.
Ofcom has initiated urgent discussions with Musk’s X and xAI following serious worries about Grok, an AI tool on the platform, creating inappropriate images of minors. The regulator highlighted the creation of undressed and sexualized images of children by Grok’s chatbot developed by xAI.
In response to the situation, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated that the content generated by Grok is unacceptable and emphasized the need for immediate action to address the dissemination of demeaning deepfake images. Ofcom is empowered to impose substantial fines and restrict access to platforms violating regulations, with a focus on safeguarding UK users online.
Regarding government use of the app, all options are being evaluated, although TikTok is already banned on official devices. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has instructed Musk’s social media company to address the issue promptly and has extended full support to Ofcom for enforcement actions against X and xAI.
Kendall emphasized the UK’s zero-tolerance stance on offensive online content, urging collaborative efforts to eradicate such material from digital platforms. Grok’s X account acknowledged deficiencies in safeguards and pledged to enhance measures to prevent harmful content, including more effective blocking of inappropriate prompts to ensure regulatory compliance and promote online safety.
Musk announced the release of a new version of Grok, advising users to update their app for enhanced features. The specific updates in the new version have not been detailed yet.