Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has declared she will not rest until all social media platforms comply with the law, as she welcomed new restrictions imposed by X on its controversial AI chatbot, Grok.
New Safeguards After Widespread Alarm
The intervention follows a significant public outcry over reports that users of the Grok AI tool were manipulating images of women and children to create sexualised deepfakes. In response, the company announced on Wednesday night that it would implement new geoblocking measures.
X stated it would prevent Grok from "editing images of people in revealing clothes" and block all users from generating similar images of real people in jurisdictions where such actions are illegal. This includes content featuring individuals in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire.
Government and Regulator Maintain Pressure
While welcoming the move, Liz Kendall emphasised that the government's Online Safety Act provides the necessary tools to hold platforms accountable. "Our Online Safety Act is and always has been about keeping people safe on social media – especially children," she stated.
Media regulator Ofcom, which launched a formal investigation into the matter on Monday, also welcomed the restrictions but confirmed its probe will continue. The watchdog said it is seeking "answers into what went wrong and what’s being done to fix it."
This stance comes after X owner Elon Musk initially claimed Grok was designed to refuse illegal content, suggesting "adversarial hacking" was to blame for the offensive image generation.
Limitations and Political Reactions
The new geoblocking feature, which restricts access based on a user's location, can potentially be circumvented using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). X asserted the change adds "an extra layer of protection" to help hold policy violators accountable.
The restrictions will apply to all users, including paid subscribers, while image editing and creation capabilities will be limited to premium users.
A Downing Street source framed the company's climbdown as "a vindication for Keir Starmer," after the Labour leader on Wednesday condemned Grok's manipulation of images as "disgusting" and "shameful." The source added that the Prime Minister had "shown he will always stand up for the people of this country – including the vulnerable – against the most powerful."
Ms Kendall concluded by thanking those who spoke out against the abuse, "above all the victims," and reiterated her unwavering commitment to ensuring all platforms provide a "safe and age-appropriate" service.
