Elon Musk is in a standoff with the UK government over the future of X, with ministers threatening to ban the platform. The dispute centers on the use of X’s Grok AI to generate non-consensual sexual images of women and children. Musk has accused the government of wanting to “suppress free speech” and pointed out that Grok is now the top app in the UK.
The Grok AI tool has been used to create disturbing content, including images of women and girls in micro-bikinis and violent scenarios. The potential for the tool to create child sexual abuse material has alarmed experts. The abuse faced by victims has been described as severe.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has warned that the government is prepared to use its powers to block X. She stated that Ofcom is investigating and is expected to take action within days. Kendall emphasized that the platform must “get a grip” on its content.
International leaders have condemned the platform, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling the situation “abhorrent.” While some politicians have supported Musk, the focus remains on the protection of women and children. The incident has highlighted the need for better regulation of AI.
X has restricted image generation for free users but continues to offer the feature to paid subscribers. The problem of “nudification” apps persists, with MPs calling for a total ban. Advertisements for these apps have been found on major platforms, prompting calls for stricter ad policies.