The UK government is prepared to block the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, after its Grok AI chatbot was used to create sexualised deepfake images of women and children. The move has sparked a fierce transatlantic row, with X's owner Elon Musk accusing ministers of 'fascist' censorship, while US Vice President JD Vance reportedly described the AI-generated material as 'hyper-pornographied slop'.
Transatlantic Condemnation and Accusations of Censorship
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy revealed he raised the issue directly with Vice President Vance during a meeting in the US this week. Lammy told The Guardian he highlighted the 'horrendous, horrific situation' where the new technology facilitates the creation of manipulated images. Lammy stated that Vance agreed the practice was 'entirely unacceptable' and was 'sympathetic' to the UK's position.
In response to the UK's escalating threats, Elon Musk launched a public attack on the government. After ministers backed regulator Ofcom to take 'any action necessary' against X, Musk posted on the platform asking, 'Why is the UK Government so fascist?' He claimed the government 'just want to suppress free speech' and 'want any excuse for censorship'.
Ofcom's Expedited Probe and the 'Premium' Deepfake Loophole
UK regulator Ofcom has been in urgent contact with both X and its sister company xAI, which created Grok, over the tool's ability to generate undressed images of real individuals and sexualised depictions of children. The regulator is now conducting an 'expedited assessment' of the firms' responses.
Following the outcry, X appeared to alter Grok's settings by Friday, with the chatbot informing users that only paid subscribers could request image manipulations. However, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall condemned this as 'totally unacceptable', arguing it merely turned an unlawful feature into a premium service. Reports suggested loopholes remained, allowing image editing through other methods.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman called the paywall change 'insulting to victims' and proof that 'X can move swiftly when it wants to'. Sir Keir himself labelled the AI-generated content 'disgraceful' and 'disgusting', vowing that 'all options' remain on the table, including a potential block.
Celebrity Backlash and International Political Fallout
The controversy has drawn reactions from public figures and international allies. Television presenter Maya Jama publicly ordered Grok not to edit her photos after her mother received fake nude images created from her Instagram snaps. 'The internet is scary & only getting worse,' Jama wrote on X.
Politically, the UK's stance has found support from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who called the non-consensual use of AI 'abhorrent'. However, it has also provoked criticism from allies of Donald Trump. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna threatened legislation to sanction the UK if X is blocked, while a US State Department official posted critical messages about the UK on the platform.
Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom holds significant power, including the ability to fine companies up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue and to seek court orders to disrupt services. Ms Kendall also highlighted imminent laws within the Crime and Policing Bill to ban 'nudification' apps and criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent.
