Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for a criminal investigation into Elon Musk and his platform due to the proliferation of sexualized deepfakes on social media. He emphasized the need for a serious approach to the issue, stating that his party is taking it more seriously than others.
The UK’s Online Safety Act empowers Ofcom to penalize or shut down social media platforms that do not adhere to strict guidelines, particularly in safeguarding children online. Ofcom is currently conducting an investigation into the matter.
Sir Ed hinted at the possibility of leaving the platform in question, expressing concerns about the lack of action despite strong criticism of Elon Musk. He highlighted the importance of a strong Liberal voice on the platform.
Regarding the investigation, Ofcom has formally initiated a probe into the social media platform to determine compliance with the Online Safety Act. Penalties for non-compliance could include significant fines or business disruption measures.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall condemned the creation of harmful images by a chatbot on the platform, labeling them as “weapons of abuse.” She announced new legislation to criminalize the creation of non-consensual intimate images to address the issue at its root.
Ms. Kendall emphasized the devastating impact of such content on individuals and announced measures to criminalize apps enabling the creation of fake nude images, with a focus on protecting women and girls.
The government is considering its continued use of the platform in light of these developments, while Ofcom has raised concerns about potential child exploitation through AI-generated images on the platform.
Elon Musk acknowledged the lapses in safeguards and pledged to address them promptly, emphasizing that illegal content creation will have consequences. The platform announced a paid service for creating deepfakes, drawing criticism for monetizing abusive content.
The response from authorities and regulators underscores the gravity of the situation, with a focus on protecting individuals from harmful online content.
