Key Takeaways
- The British government has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s X over concerns its Grok AI chatbot is creating sexually intimate deepfake images in violation of its duty to protect people in the UK from illegal content.
- A new law making it an offense to create sexual deepfakes is set to come into force, with the government planning legislation to tackle the problem at the source by making it illegal for companies to supply tools designed to create deepfakes.
- The investigation piles additional pressure on X, which is already facing a growing public outcry and criminal and regulatory probes around the world.
- The regulator, Ofcom, will investigate whether X failed to assess the risk that people in Britain would see illegal content and whether it considered the risk to children.
Introduction to the Investigation
The British government has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s X over concerns its Grok AI chatbot is creating sexually intimate deepfake images in violation of its duty to protect people in the UK from illegal content. The investigation, led by the media regulator Ofcom, will look into whether X has failed to protect users from illegal content, including child sexual abuse material. This comes as the British government announces a new law that will make it an offense to create sexual deepfakes, which it describes as "weapons of abuse".
The Grok AI Chatbot Controversy
The Grok AI chatbot has been at the center of controversy in recent weeks, with reports emerging that it is being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X. The regulator has expressed deep concern over these reports, stating that platforms must protect people in Britain from illegal content. X has responded by pointing to a previous statement in which it said it takes action against illegal content on the platform, including child sexual abuse material, by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary.
Government Response and Legislation
The British government has been under pressure to act on the issue, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the images as "disgusting" and "unlawful". Technology Minister Liz Kendall has stated that the government plans to introduce legislation that will tackle the problem at the source by making it illegal for companies to supply tools designed to create deepfakes. The government has also announced that a new law making it an offense to create sexual deepfakes will come into force this week. Kendall has emphasized that the issue is not about freedom of speech, but about tackling violence against women and girls and upholding basic British values of decency and respect.
International Outcry and Regulatory Probes
The controversy surrounding X and its Grok AI chatbot has not been limited to the UK. The platform has faced condemnation in other countries, including France, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. French officials have reported X to prosecutors and regulators, calling the content "manifestly illegal", while Indian authorities have demanded explanations. Indonesia and Malaysia have temporarily blocked Grok over the weekend. X has restricted requests to undress people in images to paying users, but the regulator will investigate whether the platform has done enough to prevent users from encountering illegal content.
Potential Consequences for X
The investigation into X could have significant consequences for the platform. If found to be non-compliant with the online safety act, X could face fines or even be blocked in the UK. The regulator has the power to ask a court to require payment providers or advertisers to withdraw their services from a platform, or make internet service providers block access to a site in Britain. Business Secretary Peter Kyle has stated that X could be banned, but noted that the power to do so lies with Ofcom. The investigation is a major test of Britain’s online safety law, which was enacted in 2023 but is being implemented in stages by Ofcom.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The investigation into X and its Grok AI chatbot is a significant development in the ongoing debate about online safety and the regulation of social media platforms. The British government has made it clear that it will take a tough stance on companies that fail to protect users from illegal content, and the regulator will be watching X closely to ensure that it complies with the online safety act. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what consequences X will face, but one thing is clear: the platform will be under intense scrutiny in the coming weeks and months.
