X Could Face UK Ban Over Deepfakes, Minister Warns
3 hours ago
Liv McMahon and Laura Cress, Technology Reporters
UK Law and Deepfakes: A Growing Concern
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has indicated her support for Ofcom, the UK’s regulator, if they decide to block access to Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, due to its failure to adhere to online safety laws. Ofcom is currently reviewing the implications of X’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Grok, which has been found to generate non-consensual images by digitally undressing individuals tagged in posts.
– Changes to Grok: In response, X has restricted this image manipulation feature to paid subscribers, a move that Downing Street has criticized as insulting to sexual violence victims. Musk has responded on X, asserting that the UK government is seeking any excuse for censorship.
Kendall stated, Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent, further expressing her expectation for Ofcom to provide updates in days, not weeks. The Online Safety Act gives Ofcom the authority to block access to services in the UK that do not comply with UK laws, and Kendall affirmed that, If Ofcom decides to use those powers, they will have our full support.
Ofcom’s Urgency and Potential Consequences for X
Ofcom has already initiated communication with X and set a firm deadline for the platform to explain its actions, receiving a response as of Friday. An accelerated assessment is now underway to determine the appropriate action.
– Legal Powers: Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can seek court orders to prevent third parties from assisting X financially or facilitating access in the UK if the platform refuses to comply. These business disruption measures remain largely untested.
Political Backlash Against Grok AI
The controversial use of Grok to generate non-consensual images has sparked widespread condemnation among politicians. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described it as disgraceful while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called it horrible in every way but disagreed with an outright ban on X, labeling it an attack on free speech.
The Liberal Democrats are advocating for a temporary restriction of X’s access in the UK as investigations proceed. Concerns about user experience remain as Grok—accessible in various ways on the platform—has been misused for editing images to depict women inappropriately.
The User Impact and Needs for Change
Many users have reported feeling humiliated and dehumanised as Grok was commonly tagged for editing images to amplify sexualized contexts. However, as of Friday morning, requests for such edits were now limited to paying subscribers, a step that some experts deem inadequate.
Dr. Daisy Dixon, a philosophy lecturer at Cardiff University, argues that Grok requires a complete overhaul with ethical safeguards to prevent future misuse. It feels like a sticking plaster, she remarked.
Hannah Swirsky, head of policy at the Internet Watch Foundation, echoed this sentiment, stating, Limiting access to a tool that should never have been capable of creating such harmful imagery does not undo the damage already inflicted.
The Wider Political Landscape
Recent leaked messages from Labour MPs reveal dissent regarding the government’s use of X for political communication. Some MPs have urged the government to explore alternative platforms to protect constituents, especially children.
Nevertheless, Downing Street has hinted that the government intends to continue utilizing X. A spokesperson noted that recent changes to Grok indicated X’s ability to swiftly respond to pressing issues, while also stressing the urgent need for the platform to act on addressing its problematic features.
In conclusion, the future of X in the UK hangs in the balance as Ofcom evaluates its compliance with online safety regulations. As concerns over deepfakes and digital manipulation continue to rise, stakeholders urge immediate, comprehensive reform to protect users from the harmful implications of technology.