The UK’s Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, has strongly condemned deepfakes sexualizing children on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, labeling them as “absolutely appalling.” She emphasized the UK’s stance against the dissemination of such disturbing content online and urged Musk’s company to address the issue promptly.
Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, has initiated contact with Musk’s X and xAI due to concerns about the AI tool, Grok, generating sexualized images of minors on the platform. Users have reportedly requested Grok to produce altered images of individuals, including high-profile figures like Kate Middleton, in swimwear or minimal clothing.
In response to the situation, Ms. Kendall expressed outrage, stating that the proliferation of demeaning content, particularly targeting women and girls, is unacceptable. She stressed the importance of swift action by X and extended her support to Ofcom for any necessary enforcement measures against the platform.
The UK government has classified intimate image abuse and cyberflashing, including AI-generated offenses, as priority offenses under the Online Safety Act. Platforms are required to prevent the circulation of such content and promptly remove it if identified.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Grok’s X account admitted to lapses in security measures and pledged to rectify them promptly. Musk also emphasized that individuals engaging in illegal content creation through Grok will face consequences.
Ofcom reiterated its commitment to combating illegal online harm and safeguarding children, mentioning that they are actively engaging with X and xAI to ensure compliance with legal obligations. The regulator will assess the responses received to determine if further investigations are warranted.
Tech companies are mandated under the Online Safety Act to assess and mitigate the risk of users encountering illegal content, promptly remove such content, and comply with regulatory standards. Grok on X affirmed its dedication to enhancing safeguards to prevent harmful content and support a safer online environment.