Elon Musk has once again ignited a fierce debate over internet regulation, accusing the UK government of attempting to “suppress free speech.” The accusation comes as ministers weigh the unprecedented step of banning social media platform X from the UK entirely. The potential ban is a response to the platform’s failure to curb the misuse of its AI tool, Grok, which has been utilized to create non-consensual sexual images of women and children.
The specific capabilities of Grok have caused alarm among safety experts. The tool was reportedly used to “nudify” subjects in uploaded photographs, digitally replacing their clothing with micro-bikinis or depicting them in sexually violent scenarios. The images often featured women bound and gagged, and in some instances, images of minors were altered, leading experts to classify the output as child sexual abuse material.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has issued a stern warning, stating that the government is looking seriously at blocking access to X if the platform refuses to comply with the Online Safety Act. She noted that Ofcom is seeking urgent answers and is expected to announce enforcement measures within “days, not weeks.” Kendall emphasized that the government stands ready to support the regulator in using its full powers to protect UK citizens.
The international community has also voiced concern. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the technology’s use as “abhorrent,” citing it as another example of social media companies failing to exercise social responsibility. Meanwhile, in the UK, the issue has sparked a political row, with former Prime Minister Liz Truss defending Musk and accusing the current government of overreach.
In response to the mounting pressure, X has restricted the image generation feature for free users and blocked certain keywords. However, the paid version of the tool remains largely unrestricted, and other “nudification” apps continue to be available online. Campaigners are calling for expedited legislation to ban these tools completely to prevent further victimization.