In a decisive move against the misuse of artificial intelligence, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated on March 7, 2024, that all options, including a potential ban on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, are being considered. This follows concerns regarding the use of Grok, an AI tool developed by Elon Musk‘s company xAI, which has been implicated in generating sexualized images of individuals without their consent.
Starmer’s comments came during an interview with a U.K. radio station, where he expressed his outrage: “This is disgraceful, it’s disgusting and it’s not to be tolerated. X has got to get a grip of this.” He emphasized that the platform’s actions are unlawful and stated, “We’re not going to tolerate it. I’ve asked for all options to be on the table.” A spokesperson from Starmer’s office reiterated that “nothing is off the table” regarding the regulation of X in Britain.
Concerns have escalated after it was confirmed that Grok allowed users to request edits of images featuring women in revealing clothing, including public figures like former First Lady Melania Trump. Last week, Grok acknowledged “lapses in safeguards” that enabled the creation of sexualized images of minors. As a response, the company announced that access to its image generation tool would now be limited to paying subscribers of its user verification service.
Critics argue that this limitation is inadequate. A U.K. government spokesperson labeled the measure as “insulting” to victims of misogyny and sexual violence, suggesting it merely transforms the AI feature into a premium service for unlawful image creation. Under the U.K. Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offense, and social media companies must proactively remove such content. Failure to comply can result in significant fines or even a ban enforced by the independent media regulator, Ofcom.
In a public statement, Ofcom confirmed it is aware of serious concerns regarding Grok’s ability to produce undressed and sexualized images of individuals, including children. The regulator has reached out to X and xAI to assess their compliance with legal responsibilities to protect users in the U.K. Ofcom stated, “Based on their response, we will undertake a swift assessment to determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation.”
The scrutiny of X extends beyond the U.K. Government officials globally, including members of the U.S. Congress, have raised alarms about Grok’s capabilities. On March 6, Senator Ted Cruz highlighted the need for stricter regulations, stating that the AI-generated images violate both his legislation, the Take It Down Act, and X’s own terms of service. He remarked, “These unlawful images pose a serious threat to victims’ privacy and dignity.”
Tensions escalated further when U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna threatened to introduce legislation to sanction the U.K. government if Starmer follows through with a ban on X. In a post on her X account, she stated, “If Starmer is successful in banning @X in Britain, I will move forward with legislation that is currently being drafted to sanction not only Starmer, but Britain as a whole.”
As discussions continue, the future of X in the U.K. hangs in the balance. The government’s response to the platform’s management of its AI tools, alongside ongoing scrutiny from both domestic and international authorities, could set a precedent for how social media companies handle user-generated content and comply with legal standards.
