The British government has issued a strong warning to Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. On January 9 reports emerged about AI-generated deepfakes and child abuse images connected to Grok. The AI tool built into X. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the issue, calling it disgraceful.
The prime minister supports Ofcom, the UK’s digital regulator for social media online platforms and AI services, to take action if X does not respond quickly. Ofcom can use its strongest powers, including blocking access to the platform, if it fails to stop AI tools from being used to create abusive content.
The controversy focuses on Grok, X’s AI chatbot. Recent reports show users have been using it to digitally remove clothes from photos of women and girls. The situation worsened when the Internet Watch Foundation confirmed that criminal AI-generated images of minors were circulating online. Starmer called the situation a disgrace and said it cannot be tolerated.
The key question is whether X could face a ban in the UK. Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can block access to platforms that repeatedly fail safety rules. The Act makes it illegal to post or generate intimate or sexual content without consent and requires platforms to remove it quickly. Starmer has given Ofcom full government support to act fast.
Ministers said they will not hesitate to use severe measures such as limiting services, reducing revenue, or imposing heavy fines if X does not meet its obligations.
Elon Musk and X have said users are responsible for what they ask the AI to do. Musk warned that anyone using Grok to create illegal content will face the same consequences as if they uploaded it manually. UK ministers say the platform design, which makes these tools easy to use, is part of the problem.
Ofcom is in urgent contact with X leadership. If X does not fix the AI loopholes by the end of the month, the regulator may start a formal investigation that could lead to record fines or a service block.
Several UK lawmakers, public figures, and advocacy groups have left X in protest. Women’s rights organizations and media personalities have condemned the misuse of AI to create degrading fake content. The European Union has also ordered X to preserve data related to Grok as part of its regulatory review.
Similar concerns and government scrutiny are appearing in other countries, including Australia.
