The Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, expressed support for Ofcom in potentially blocking Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, over concerns about its Grok AI generating inappropriate images, including those of children. Kendall stated that the government would fully back Ofcom if it decided to restrict access to services in the UK under the Online Safety Act.
Following reports of users utilizing the Grok AI for creating sexualized content, Ofcom reached out to X for clarification. In response, X reportedly restricted the image generation feature to a paid service, drawing criticism from the government for turning such activities into a premium service.
Ofcom recently addressed the concerns about X’s image generation features and stated that they were urgently assessing the situation. The regulator emphasized the importance of tech companies taking responsibility for preventing illegal content exposure to users and promptly removing such content when identified.
Secretary Kendall condemned the manipulation of images of women and children by X, urging Ofcom to utilize its legal powers. She stressed the need for swift updates from Ofcom on the actions taken. Kendall also highlighted upcoming legislative measures, including banning nudification apps and criminalizing unauthorized intimate image creation.
Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the authority to impose hefty fines on businesses and take legal action, including banning services if necessary. Ms. Kendall reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring online safety, emphasizing zero tolerance for inappropriate content and actions targeting women and girls.