Elon Musk is facing one of the most significant regulatory challenges of his tenure at X, with the UK government threatening to utilize its “backstop powers” to completely ban the platform. This dramatic escalation follows the revelation that the platform’s AI tool, Grok, has been facilitating the creation of non-consensual sexual images, including deepfake pornography of women and children. Musk has reacted to the threat with characteristic defiance, accusing UK ministers of attempting to “suppress free speech” rather than addressing the safety violations. His dismissal of the government’s concerns was further emphasized by his public boasting that Grok had become the most downloaded app in the UK during the height of the controversy, a move that many officials view as a provocation.
The specific misuse of the Grok AI has been described as a severe breach of online safety standards. Users were able to exploit the tool to digitally remove clothing from images of women and teenage girls, replacing it with micro-bikinis or placing the subjects in sexually violent and degrading scenarios. The fact that the AI could be prompted to generate images of bondage, gagging, and physical injury has caused widespread outrage. More critically, the generation of images involving minors has placed the platform in legal jeopardy, with experts warning that X is effectively distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a criminal offense that carries severe penalties.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has been unequivocal in her response, stating that the government is “looking seriously” at invoking the powers granted by the Online Safety Act to block access to X. She warned that Ofcom, the communications regulator, is demanding urgent answers and is expected to announce enforcement measures within “days, not weeks.” Kendall made it clear that if the regulator decides to use its powers to shut down the service, it will have the full and unreserved backing of the government. This statement signals a departure from previous lenient approaches to tech regulation, indicating that the UK is prepared to enforce its laws regardless of the platform’s size or influence.
The international community has also weighed in on the crisis, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the technology’s misuse as “abhorrent.” Albanese used the incident to criticize the lack of social responsibility demonstrated by major tech companies, arguing that they prioritize engagement and profit over the safety of global citizens. In the UK, the issue has become a flashpoint for political debate, with former Prime Minister Liz Truss defending Musk and framing the potential ban as an act of censorship by the current administration. However, this political maneuvering has done little to quell the public anger over the victimization of women and children.
In an attempt to address the immediate crisis, X has implemented restrictions on image generation for free users and has blocked certain search terms. However, these measures have been criticized as insufficient, as the powerful AI tools remain accessible to paid subscribers. This “pay-to-abuse” model has drawn further ire from campaigners, who argue that safety should not be a tiered feature. The incident has intensified calls for new legislation to ban “nudification” apps entirely, with MPs like Jess Asato urging the government to expedite laws that would outlaw the creation and advertisement of such technology across all platforms.