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The British government intensified its crackdown on AI-generated sexual abuse Monday after ministers confirmed a attainable ban on Elon Musk’s social media platform X amid a widening probe and with the corporate probably incurring hefty fines.
The dramatic transfer follows the launch of a formal investigation by Ofcom, the U.Okay. communications regulator, into whether or not X breached its authorized duties below the U.Okay.’s On-line Security Act and got here after reviews that the platform’s built-in AI chatbot, Grok, was used to generate and share sexualized deepfake pictures of girls and kids.
Grok was launched in 2023 however its picture generator characteristic, Grok Think about, was added in 2025 with a selected mode to generate grownup content material.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Know-how Liz Kendall described the latest use of the AI device being misused to generate sexually express and non-consensual pictures as “deeply disturbing.”
Kendall additionally warned that social media firms can be held accountable in the event that they did not act.
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Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Know-how Liz Kendall has warned that Ofcom has the authority to concern “fines price thousands and thousands of {dollars}” or penalties of as much as 10% of an organization’s qualifying worldwide income. ( Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos)
“I welcome Ofcom’s urgency in launching a proper investigation right this moment,” Kendall stated, in accordance to Reuters. “It’s critical that Ofcom full this investigation swiftly as a result of the general public – and most significantly the victims – is not going to settle for any delay.”
In a separate statement shared later Monday, Kendall stated the Grok AI device had been used to create and flow into degrading, non-consensual intimate pictures.
“No lady or baby ought to dwell in worry of getting their picture sexually manipulated by technology,” she stated earlier than including, “The content material which has circulated on X is vile. It isn’t simply an affront to respectable society, it’s unlawful.”
Kendall added that sharing or threatening to share deepfake intimate pictures with out consent, together with pictures of individuals of their underwear, constitutes a legal offense below U.Okay. regulation.
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The British authorities is stepping up its crackdown on AI-generated sexual abuse, with officers confirming a attainable ban on Elon Musk’s X as a part of a widening probe. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photograph)
She warned that Ofcom has the authority to concern “fines worth millions of dollars” or penalties of as much as 10% of an organization’s qualifying worldwide income.
“However X doesn’t have to attend for the Ofcom investigation to conclude,” Kendall stated. “They will select to behave sooner to make sure this abhorrent and unlawful materials can’t be shared on their platform,” she warned.
Ofcom had stated it “urgently made contact” with X on Jan. 5, demanding explanations in regards to the steps being taken to guard U.Okay. customers and setting a response deadline of Jan. 9.
Whereas xAI, one other firm based by Musk, responded, Ofcom stated it determined to open a proper investigation after reviewing the obtainable proof “as a matter of the very best precedence.”
In a statement shared Monday, Ofcom stated, “Experiences of Grok getting used to create and share unlawful non-consensual intimate pictures and baby sexual abuse materials on X have been deeply regarding.”
“Platforms should shield folks within the UK from content material that’s unlawful within the UK, and we received’t hesitate to research the place we suspect firms are failing of their duties, particularly the place there’s a threat of hurt to kids,” the assertion stated.
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The brand of the AI chatbot Grok, which is being developed by the corporate xAI and was based by Elon Musk in 2023, may be seen on the show of an iPhone standing on a laptop computer keyboard. (Silas Stein/Image alliance by way of Getty Photos)
As beforehand reported by Fox News Digital, the chatbot acknowledged in a public put up on X that it had generated and shared an AI picture depicting two younger ladies in sexualized apparel, calling the incident a “failure in safeguards” and apologizing for the hurt induced.
Amid mounting criticism, Grok confirmed it has begun limiting some image-generation and modifying options to paying subscribers. The chatbot stated the restrictions had been carried out to forestall additional misuse.
Musk additionally accused the U.Okay. Authorities of “fascism” Monday for “arresting 1000’s of individuals for social media posts.”
The billionaire Tesla founder had responded to a put up on X that claimed the nation arrests extra folks for social media posts than “another nation on earth.”
Alongside the Ofcom investigation, the U.Okay. authorities introduced that laws criminalizing the creation of non-consensual intimate pictures generated by AI would come into drive this week.
Kendall stated duty doesn’t relaxation solely with people.
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“The platforms that host such materials should be held accountable, together with X,” she stated.
If they don’t act, she stated she is “ready to go additional.”
In the meantime, U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson stated the federal government’s presence on the platform was “below assessment” and that “all choices are on the desk.”
The Associated Press additionally reported Monday that Malaysia and Indonesia have turn out to be the primary international locations to dam Grok.
Fox Information Digital has reached out to Elon Musk and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s workplace for remark.
The Related Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
