Elon Musk has ridiculed the UK government’s threat to ban X, framing the potential regulatory action as a desperate attempt to silence free speech. The threats from ministers came after it was revealed that Musk’s Grok AI was being widely used to generate deepfake pornography, including images of children. Unapologetic, Musk highlighted that Grok had become the most downloaded app in the UK on Friday night, interpreting the public interest as a victory against the government’s stance.
The controversy involves the Grok AI tool, which users exploited to create hyper-realistic sexual images from ordinary photos. The AI was used to depict women and teenage girls in micro-bikinis, as well as in violent scenarios involving gags, ropes, and physical injury. The capability of the tool to alter images of minors has led to accusations that X is facilitating the creation of child sexual abuse material, a criminal offense that has shocked the public.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall warned that the government is ready to invoke the Online Safety Act to block X if the platform does not remove the harmful function. She stated that Ofcom is seeking “urgent answers” and that action is expected within “days not weeks.” Kendall’s message was blunt: X must “get a grip” on its content or face being cut off from the UK market entirely.
The scandal has resonated internationally, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeling the technology’s misuse as “abhorrent.” He criticized the lack of social responsibility demonstrated by the platform. Domestically, the issue has become polarized, with right-wing figures like Liz Truss attacking the Labour government’s approach as authoritarian. However, the consensus among safety experts is that the harm to victims requires immediate intervention.
In response to the backlash, X has limited Grok’s capabilities for free users and blocked certain terms. Yet, the paid version of the tool still allows for image generation, leaving a significant loophole. The incident has also exposed the wider availability of “nudification” apps, with MPs urging Google and other tech companies to enforce stricter advertising bans and for the government to pass new laws to outlaw these technologies completely.
Elon Musk Mocks UK Government as “Free Speech Suppressors” While X Risks Shutdown Over AI Scandal
