UK might ban Elon Musk’s X for presidency use after deepfake ‘shame’
The Government could stop using Elon Musk’s X social media platform after its artificial intelligence chatbot was used to create sexualised deepfake images of kids
The UK could ban Elon Musk’s X social media platform being used by the Government after its artificial intelligence chatbot was used to create sexualised deepfake images of kids.
Downing Street said “all options were on the table” including a boycott of X as ministers backed media regulator Ofcom to take action.
Ofcom this week made “urgent contact” with Musk’s X and xAI over “serious concerns” its AI tool, Grok, has made sexualised images of kids on the platform. It said it was aware of a feature on Grok, a chatbot developed by xAI, that creates undressed images of people and sexualised images of children.
Today, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “What we’ve seen on Grok is a disgrace. It is completely unacceptable.
READ MORE: Elon Musk’s X slapped down by UK over ‘appalling’ AI content
“No-one should have to go through the ordeal of seeing intimate deepfakes of themselves online and we won’t allow the proliferation of these demeaning images. X needs to deal with this urgently and Ofcom has our full backing to take enforcement action wherever firms are failing to protect UK users.
“It already has the power to issue fines of up to billions of pounds and even stop access to a site that is violating the law. And when it comes to keeping people safe online, all options remain on the table.”
Asked if the Government would stop using the app, the spokesman said: “All options are on the table.” TikTok is banned on government phones but some ministers, including Keir Starmer, have accounts on the platform.
Downing Street’s comments came after Technology Secretary Liz Kendall ordered Musk’s social media firm to deal with this “urgently” and gave Ofcom her full backing to take any necessary enforcement action against X or xAI.
She said: “Make no mistake – the UK will not tolerate the endless proliferation of disgusting and abusive material online. We must all come together to stamp it out.”
Users of X appear to have prompted Grok, which is integrated into the platform, to generate images of children “in minimal clothing”.
A post on Grok’s X account on Friday admitted the company has “identified lapses in safeguards and are urgently fixing them—CSAM (child sexual abuse material) is illegal and prohibited”. On Saturday, Musk said: “Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.”
Grok’s account on X responded to an article about Ms Kendall’s comments, saying: “We appreciate the feedback and take concerns about deepfakes seriously.
“xAI is actively enhancing Grok’s safeguards to prevent harmful content, including better blocking of inappropriate prompts. We’re committed to complying with regulations and supporting a safer online environment.”
On Wednesday Musk said a new version of Grok had been released and urged users to update their app. It is not clear what updates the new version contains.
