British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested that the United Kingdom could potentially ban the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk. This development follows rising and serious concerns that the platform’s AI tools are being exploited to generate sexual images of women and children.
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UK PM Condemns Actions as “Illegal and Unacceptable”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made it clear that blocking the platform in the UK is a viable option, labeling the images generated by X’s AI tool, “Grok,” as both “illegal” and “abhorrent.”
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, the Prime Minister affirmed that Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has the government’s “full support” to address this issue. Under current regulations, Ofcom effectively holds the power to ban X’s operations within the country.
Starmer stated: “This is illegal. We are not going to tolerate it. I’ve asked for all options to be looked at. It is quite frankly abhorrent. X needs to clean up its act and take down this material. We will take action.”
AI “Grok” Sexual Image Generation as the Trigger
The catalyst for this turmoil is the misuse of X’s AI chatbot, “Grok.” The tool has been used to generate and disseminate a mass volume of “deepfake” images, creating non-consensual nude depictions of individuals.
While this issue has invited global backlash, the situation escalated following a report by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). The IWF confirmed that the tool was utilized to create “criminal imagery involving children aged 11 to 13.”
Following the emergence of these grave concerns, Ofcom announced on Monday that it had made “urgent contact” with X to address the matter.
Possibility of “X Blockade” under Online Safety Act
The UK’s “Online Safety Act” provides Ofcom with robust powers to exercise in extreme cases.
If the regulator obtains the consent of the courts, Ofcom can order payment providers, advertisers, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to cease business and connectivity with a specific site. If triggered, this measure would effectively block access to X from within the United Kingdom.
Discussions Accelerate within Labour Party to Leave X
Pressure is also mounting on the government to withdraw from the X platform entirely.
Louise Haigh, the former Transport Secretary, appealed to ministers, stating that continuing to use the site for “even a minute longer is unconscionable.” Additionally, MP Anna Turley admitted on Friday that discussions regarding a withdrawal from X are currently “taking place.”
Anneliese Dodds, Chair of the Labour Party, commented on the party’s use of X: “We keep it under review. It is really important we are in a safe space. But the number one priority is for X to clean up its act. The Prime Minister has been very clear that the situation is ‘absolutely abhorrent’.”
X’s Response: Image Generation Restricted to “Paid Members”
In response to the growing criticism, Grok’s official account posted a statement this month acknowledging “isolated cases where users requested explicit images of minors which the AI generated.” The company stated that while safeguards are in place, they are continuing to improve systems to block such requests completely.
Currently, image generation and editing functions on Grok have been restricted. Users attempting to make requests now encounter a message stating, “Image generation and editing is currently available only to Premium subscribers,” effectively forcing a paywall for these features.