Elon Musk is facing a potential ban of his platform X in the UK after ministers warned of severe consequences for the site’s failure to police AI-generated content. Musk responded to the threats by accusing the government of wanting to “suppress free speech,” while boasting that his Grok app had become the most downloaded in the country. The standoff follows revelations that Grok was used to create non-consensual sexual images of women and children.
The controversy focuses on Grok’s ability to manipulate photographs into explicit content. The AI was used to “nudify” women and girls, depicting them in micro-bikinis or in scenes of bondage and violence. The creation of such images without consent, particularly those involving minors, has been flagged as a serious violation of safety laws and a potential criminal offense. The graphic nature of the content has caused widespread outrage.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the government is considering all options, including blocking access to X. She cited the Online Safety Act as the legal basis for such action, warning that Ofcom is prepared to move quickly. “X needs to get a grip,” Kendall said, emphasizing that the platform cannot ignore the law. The government has pledged full support for any enforcement measures taken by the regulator.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the UK’s concerns, calling the situation “abhorrent” and a failure of social media responsibility. While some UK politicians, such as Liz Truss, have defended Musk and criticized the government’s approach, the prevailing view among officials is that the platform has crossed a red line. The safety of users, particularly women and children, is being prioritized over unrestricted platform access.
X has implemented some changes, such as blocking image generation for free users and filtering certain terms. However, the tool remains available to paid subscribers, and the problem of deepfake pornography continues to plague the internet. Campaigners are urging the government to pass new laws to ban “nudification” apps and to hold tech companies accountable for the content they facilitate and advertise.