X Could ‘Lose Right to Self-Regulate’, Says Starmer
The UK government is set to enforce a law making it illegal to create non-consensual intimate images, a response to growing concerns about Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot. Sir Keir Starmer, speaking to Labour MPs, emphasized that if X fails to regulate its platform, the government will intervene.
– Immediate Legislative Actions
– New legislation will target creators of non-consensual intimate images.
– The government will introduce measures prohibiting the supply of online tools used for such image creation.
– Starmer indicated a swift government response should X not effectively manage the issue.
– Ofcom’s Investigation
– Ofcom is launching an investigation into X due to alarming reports of Grok’s image manipulation capabilities.
– Potential penalties for X include fines up to 10% of its global revenue or £18 million, whichever is higher.
– Should X fail to comply, Ofcom may pursue court orders to block UK access to the platform.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall urged Ofcom to expedite the investigation, asking for a clear timeline for its completion. Despite existing laws against sharing deepfakes in the UK, enforcement of the Data (Use and Access) Act has been delayed since its passage in June 2025.
– Nudification Tools Being Criminalized
– The government aims to treat the creation of deepfakes as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act.
– Kendall condemned AI-generated images without consent, labeling them weapons of abuse.
– Sharing or threatening to share such intimate images is now recognized as a criminal offence.
Kendall asserted that accountability extends beyond individuals to the platforms that host harmful content, such as X. The plan includes measures to tackle nudification apps at their source and hold technology companies to the safety standards recommended by Ofcom.
Legal expert Jamie Hurworth remarked that Kendall’s statements signal a serious governmental stance toward the issue. However, he cautioned that the police’s resources might impact the enforcement of these new measures.
– Impact of New Laws on Grok AI Deepfakes
– The BBC has documented numerous instances of digitally altered images on X, depicting women in compromising poses without their consent.
– One victim reported over 100 sexualized images created without her permission, highlighting the scale of the issue.
– Ofcom’s inquiry will investigate whether X promptly removed illegal content when notified.
The controversy surrounding Grok has drawn international scrutiny, with countries like Malaysia and Indonesia temporarily blocking access to the tool due to its misuse. Responding to criticism, Elon Musk suggested that the UK government is using the situation as a pretext for censorship. However, Kendall firmly countered this notion, asserting that the focus is on combating violence against women and girls.
Shadow technology secretary Julia Lopez supported Ofcom’s investigation but expressed concerns about the precedent of banning platforms like X in response to criminal activity. She noted that such actions could hinder the internet’s ability to facilitate open communication and spark democratic discourse.
As discussions unfold, the potential implications for X and its right to self-regulate underlined the urgency for action against harmful uses of AI technology.