The Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, expressed support for Ofcom’s potential action to restrict Elon Musk’s social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, due to concerns about the platform’s Grok AI bot generating sexualized images of children.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology emphasized that Ofcom would have the Government’s full backing if it decided to utilize its authority under the Online Safety Act to block services in the UK.
In a recent post on X, Kendall warned, “If X fails to address these issues, we will take action.”
This statement followed Ofcom’s swift response to reports of users employing the Grok AI on X to create sexualized images, including those of children. In response, Elon Musk’s platform reportedly restricted the image generation feature behind a paywall, triggering additional government criticism.
This development comes after Ofcom highlighted concerns about a feature on X’s Grok that generates inappropriate images, prompting the regulator to engage with Elon Musk’s company to address potential compliance issues.
Ofcom provided an update stating that they had contacted X on Monday, setting a deadline for clarification, which has been met. The regulator is now conducting an urgent assessment and will share further updates soon.
Grok, a free AI assistant on X with premium features, responds to user prompts and has faced criticism for producing deepfakes and inappropriate images in the past. Creating and sharing non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material is illegal under UK law, with potential legal consequences for offenders.
Under the Online Safety Act, tech companies must assess and mitigate the risk of illegal content on their platforms, promptly removing such content when identified.
Secretary Liz Kendall condemned the manipulation of images of women and children as reprehensible and demanded swift action from Ofcom. She highlighted the forthcoming bans on nudification apps and the criminalization of non-consensual image creation as part of legislative measures to protect individuals online.
Ofcom has the authority under the Online Safety Act to impose fines, take legal action, and collaborate with other entities to restrict non-compliant platforms. Ms. Kendall underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring online safety for women and girls, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulatory guidelines.