The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, is investigating the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, for potential breaches of UK law. This inquiry is triggered by the alarming use of Grok, an AI tool from Musk's xAI, which has reportedly facilitated the generation of non-consensual intimate images. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced the enforcement of a new criminal offence under the Data (Use and Access) Act, although the precise date for enforcement remains unspecified.
Amid growing concerns about harmful content online, the government is also moving to criminalize nudification applications through the ongoing Crime and Policing Bill. These legislative efforts aim to prohibit companies from offering tools that generate non-consensual images, which Kendall described as tackling the issue “at its source.”
In light of the scrutiny surrounding Grok, Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has warned that X risks losing its self-regulation privileges if it cannot effectively manage the misuse of its AI tool. The Prime Minister underscored the urgency of the matter, stating that the government would intervene swiftly if necessary. Should Ofcom find X non-compliant with the Online Safety Act, it could impose fines of up to 10% of X's global revenue or £18 million, and even pursue a court order to block the site.