Elon Musk is in a standoff with the UK government over the future of X, with ministers threatening to ban the platform. The dispute centers on the use of X’s Grok AI to generate non-consensual sexual images of women and children. Musk has accused the government of wanting to “suppress free speech” and pointed out that Grok is now the top app in the UK. This defiance has set the stage for a potentially protracted legal battle between the platform and the government.
The Grok AI tool has been used to create disturbing content, including images of women and girls in micro-bikinis and violent scenarios. The potential for the tool to create child sexual abuse material has alarmed experts. The abuse faced by victims has been described as severe. The fact that the tool was able to generate such content so easily suggests that there were few, if any, safeguards in place to prevent misuse.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has warned that the government is prepared to use its powers to block X. She stated that Ofcom is investigating and is expected to take action within days. Kendall emphasized that the platform must “get a grip” on its content. Her comments indicate that the government is not prepared to accept excuses from the platform and expects immediate action to address the issue.
International leaders have condemned the platform, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling the situation “abhorrent.” While some politicians have supported Musk, the focus remains on the protection of women and children. The incident has highlighted the need for better regulation of AI. The challenge for policymakers is to develop regulations that are effective in preventing harm without stifling innovation.
X has restricted image generation for free users but continues to offer the feature to paid subscribers. The problem of “nudification” apps persists, with MPs calling for a total ban. Advertisements for these apps have been found on major platforms, prompting calls for stricter ad policies. The call for a ban is a necessary step to protect women and children from digital abuse.