The UK’s Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, has condemned inappropriate deepfake content involving children on Elon Musk’s X platform as “absolutely appalling.” Kendall emphasized the need for urgent action to address the dissemination of such harmful material online, stating that the UK will not tolerate it. Ofcom, the UK media regulator, has reached out to Musk’s X and xAI regarding concerns about their AI tool, Grok, generating sexualized images of minors on the platform. Notably, individuals like Kate Middleton have reportedly been targeted on X, where users have requested photos of people to be digitally altered in revealing ways.
Kendall reiterated that the recent rise in offensive online content, particularly deepfakes, is unacceptable and must be swiftly dealt with. She emphasized the importance of upholding the law and ensuring that platforms like X take responsibility in preventing the spread of degrading and abusive material. The UK government has enacted legislation, including the Online Safety Act, to combat intimate image abuse and cyberflashing, with a specific focus on offenses related to AI-generated content. Musk’s acknowledgment of lapses in safeguards on Grok and commitment to addressing the issue have been noted, with a clear stance against illegal content creation.
Ofcom has expressed its commitment to addressing illegal online content and safeguarding children, emphasizing the need for compliance with legal obligations to protect users. The dissemination of non-consensual intimate images or child exploitation material, including AI-generated deepfakes, is prohibited and can lead to legal consequences. Tech companies are mandated to assess and mitigate the risk of users encountering illegal content online and promptly remove such content when identified. Grok on X has acknowledged the concerns raised and is actively improving safeguards to prevent the circulation of harmful content, aligning with regulatory standards for a safer online environment.
