Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, expressed her support for Ofcom in potentially blocking Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, due to concerns over the platform’s Grok AI generating sexualized images of children.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology emphasized that Ofcom would receive the government’s backing if they decided to utilize their authority under the Online Safety Act to restrict access to services in the UK.
In a recent statement on X, Kendall warned, “If X fails to address these issues, we will take action.”
This development follows Ofcom’s swift action after reports surfaced regarding users exploiting the Grok AI on X to create inappropriate images, including those of minors. In response, X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, restricted the image generation feature to a paid service, sparking further government criticism.
Downing Street condemned the changes, labeling the move as making deepfake creation a “premium service,” which was deemed disrespectful to victims of gender-based violence. This reaction came in light of Ofcom’s recent concerns about the image generation feature on X.
Ofcom affirmed their proactive engagement with Elon Musk’s company and indicated a prompt assessment to determine compliance with regulations regarding generated images on the platform.
Grok, a free AI assistant on X with additional premium features, responds to user prompts and has faced criticism for its image and video editing capabilities, previously linked to the creation of unauthorized content, including deepfakes.
The UK law strictly prohibits the creation or dissemination of non-consensual intimate images or child exploitation material, including AI-generated deepfakes. Offenders can face legal repercussions for online criminal activities.
Under the Online Safety Act, tech companies must assess and mitigate the risk of users encountering illegal content on their platforms promptly removing such content upon identification.
Secretary Liz Kendall strongly condemned the inappropriate manipulation of images on X and urged Ofcom to utilize the legal powers granted by Parliament. She emphasized the need for swift action and updates from Ofcom on their next steps.
Kendall highlighted the forthcoming legislation to ban nudification apps and criminalize the creation of intimate images without consent, demonstrating the government’s commitment to online safety, particularly for women and girls.
Ofcom is empowered under the Online Safety Act to impose fines on businesses and take legal action, including criminal prosecution. Additionally, they can collaborate with payment providers, advertisers, and internet service providers to restrict services, subject to court approval.
Kendall also mentioned the proposed ban on nudification apps and the upcoming enforcement of laws against unauthorized image creation as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance online safety and combat illicit content.
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