The UK government is poised for a major confrontation with tech giant X, formerly Twitter, as the scandal over sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes created using its Grok tool intensifies. Tech Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to address MPs on the issue today, following days of mounting political pressure.
Regulator Under Pressure to Act Swiftly
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has been instructed to move "in days, not weeks" by Secretary of State Liz Kendall. This directive comes after X's announcement last Friday that it would restrict access to the controversial AI feature to paid subscribers only—a move interpreted by Downing Street as evidence the platform fails to grasp the severity of the situation.
The feature in question allowed users to generate digitally altered images that undressed women and children. Business Secretary Peter Kyle clarified the government's position during an LBC interview, stating the law mandates Ofcom, as an independent enforcer, to investigate. "Ofcom has requested information from X. I believe X has given Ofcom that information and Ofcom is now expediting an inquiry," Kyle said.
Uncharted Legal and Political Territory
This case represents a critical first test of the new Online Safety Act's sweeping powers. Ofcom can levy substantial fines on companies for breaches of online safety rules. In extreme circumstances, it could apply to the courts to have X blocked entirely in the UK. However, these provisions are newly enacted and have never been deployed against a global tech behemoth, making this a legally unprecedented situation.
The scandal is also fraught with political hazard. Elon Musk, though no longer in Donald Trump's administration, remains a prominent figure in the Maga movement and recently dined with the former president. In these circles, European regulatory actions are often viewed as an assault on American free speech principles. While US Vice President JD Vance recently conceded the app's use for undressing children was unacceptable, a more junior official, Under Secretary Sarah Rogers, subsequently accused the UK of "contemplating a Russia-style X ban to protect them from bikini images."
Today's Key Developments
The political agenda for Monday is dominated by the fallout from the scandal. Key events include:
- Morning: Visits and media engagements by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Peter Kyle, as well as by Shadow Education Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Laura Trott.
- 11am: A press conference by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
- 11.30am: The Downing Street lobby briefing.
- After 3.30pm: The anticipated statement to MPs from Tech Secretary Liz Kendall specifically addressing the Grok AI deepfake imagery scandal.
All eyes are now on Ofcom's next steps and the government's continued response, setting the stage for a landmark battle in online content regulation.
