The UK government has issued a stark warning to Elon Musk's social media platform X, stating it could face being blocked in Britain. The threat follows revelations that the platform's integrated AI tool, Grok, has been used to generate vast quantities of sexualised and manipulated images of women and children without their consent.
Government Backs Ofcom's "Expedited Inquiry"
Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated unequivocally that X is "not doing enough to keep its customers safe online." He confirmed the government would fully support any action taken by the media regulator, Ofcom, which is conducting a fast-tracked investigation. The regulator has now received the information it requested from X as part of this probe.
Kyle highlighted the profound human impact, citing a meeting with a Jewish woman who discovered an AI-generated image of herself in a bikini outside Auschwitz. "It made me feel sick to my stomach," he said, criticising the platform's failure to properly test Grok before release.
Range of Sanctions on the Table
Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom wields significant power. Kyle outlined that the regulator's options range from issuing multimillion-pound fines to seeking a court order that would require internet service providers to block X entirely in the UK. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to address the issue in a Commons statement, with action anticipated within days.
The government's stance hardened after X announced it would limit Grok's image generation to paying subscribers. Downing Street condemned this move as "unacceptable," arguing it merely turned a feature enabling unlawful image creation into a premium service.
International Backlash and Free Speech Debate
The potential block is likely to provoke a major international dispute. Elon Musk, who has urged Britons to "fight back" against the Starmer government, frequently frames such regulation as an attack on free speech. This view found support from a Trump administration official, who likened the potential UK action to censorship in Vladimir Putin's Russia.
However, UK ministers are standing firm, framing the issue as one of public safety and corporate responsibility. The expedited Ofcom inquiry marks a critical test of the new Online Safety Act's powers, with the integrity of the platform and the protection of individuals from AI-generated abuse hanging in the balance.
