The UK government faces a potential diplomatic clash with the United States, after a prominent American politician threatened sanctions if Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer moves to block Elon Musk's social media platform, X.
US Lawmaker Drafts Retaliatory Sanctions Bill
The warning was issued by Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, a key ally of former President Donald Trump. Luna, who sits on the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated she is actively drafting legislation that would empower the US to impose sanctions on the UK should it ban or significantly restrict X under its Online Safety Act.
She characterised any potential blocking of the platform as "a political war against Elon Musk and free speech". Luna cited precedent, pointing to US sanctions last year against a Brazilian judge who temporarily blocked X, and travel restrictions placed on former EU digital chief Thierry Breton.
Controversy Over X's Grok AI Generating Illegal Imagery
The threat of US action follows serious revelations about the misuse of X's artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. Investigations have found that users exploited the tool to create non-consensual sexualised imagery, including content depicting children.
The Internet Watch Foundation confirmed it identified criminal child sexual abuse material, apparently generated by Grok, featuring children aged 11 to 13. This illicit content was shared on dark web forums, intensifying pressure on Downing Street.
In response to mounting criticism, X has limited Grok's image-generation capabilities to paid subscribers. However, a Number 10 spokesman dismissed this as "not a solution", arguing it merely turned "an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service".
UK Government Backs Ofcom as Internal Debate Rages
Prime Minister Starmer has stated that "all options are on the table" to ensure X complies with UK law, including supporting enforcement action by the communications regulator, Ofcom. The Online Safety Act grants Ofcom powers to issue multi-billion pound fines or, in extreme cases, seek court orders to block services in the UK.
The spokesperson confirmed that Ofcom has the government's full backing to take action, noting X's swift change to Grok proved the company "can move swiftly when it wants to do so".
The scandal has also triggered an internal debate within the Labour Party. Anna Turley, Labour's Party Chair and a Cabinet Office minister, said discussions were ongoing about the government's continued use of X, calling the AI-generated images "completely unacceptable". While some MPs and committees have already left the platform, others argue the government must remain to communicate with its 20 million UK users.
A ban on X would mark a major escalation in UK-US tensions, creating a new flashpoint in transatlantic tech relations by pitting online safety enforcement directly against free-speech principles.
