Downing Street has stated that “all options were on the table,” including a potential boycott of X, as government ministers expressed strong support for regulatory action by Ofcom. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman condemned the content generated by the AI tool Grok, calling it “a disgrace” and “completely unacceptable.”
The spokesman emphasized, “No-one should have to go through the ordeal of seeing intimate deepfakes of themselves online, and we won’t allow the proliferation of these demeaning images.” He added that X must address the issue urgently, stating that Ofcom has the government’s full backing to enforce regulations when companies fail to protect users in the UK. “It already has the power to issue fines of up to billions of pounds and even stop access to a site that is violating the law,” he noted. “And when it comes to keeping people safe online, all options remain on the table.”
The remarks follow urgent calls for action from Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who reiterated that Ofcom is investigating both X and xAI, the company co-founded by Elon Musk that developed Grok. She supported Ofcom’s authority to take “any enforcement action” deemed necessary in response to the troubling reports surrounding the AI tool.
Reports indicate that Grok, integrated into the X platform, has generated images of children in “minimal clothing” after user prompts. In a statement on the Grok X account, it was acknowledged that there have been “isolated cases where users prompted for and received AI images depicting minors in minimal clothing.” The company assured that while “xAI has safeguards, improvements are ongoing to block such requests entirely.”
This situation has drawn scrutiny not only from the UK government but also from international observers. The Trump administration had previously criticized European regulators and online safety advocates for attempting to impose restrictions on American platforms. In response to criticisms of the government’s stance, Kendall clarified, “This is not about restricting freedom of speech but upholding the law.”
In a somewhat dismissive response to Kendall’s comments, an automated reply from xAI stated, “Legacy media lies.” However, Grok’s account later acknowledged the concerns, saying, “We appreciate the feedback and take concerns about deepfakes seriously. xAI is actively enhancing Grok’s safeguards to prevent harmful content, including better blocking of inappropriate prompts. We’re committed to complying with regulations and supporting a safer online environment.”
On Wednesday, Musk announced that a new version of Grok had been released and urged users to update their applications, though details regarding the specific updates remain unclear. Musk has previously asserted that “anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they uploaded illegal content.”
X has stated that it takes serious action against illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, by removing it, permanently suspending offending accounts, and collaborating with local governments and law enforcement agencies as necessary.
The escalating concerns regarding Grok reflect broader anxieties about AI’s evolving role in content generation, particularly in contexts that could exploit vulnerable populations. As regulatory bodies like Ofcom prepare to take action, the implications for both users and platforms may redefine the landscape of online safety and accountability.
See also
Spanish Government Requests Investigation into X’s AI for Child Pornography Violations
Ministers Urgently Seek Legal Action Against X Over Proliferation of Explicit AI Images
Government Delays Deepfake Law as Grok AI Sparks Sexual Abuse Concerns
AI Technology Enhances Road Safety in U.S. Cities
China Enforces New Rules Mandating Labeling of AI-Generated Content Starting Next Year
