The UK government has warned that Elon Musk’s social media platform X could face severe restrictions, including a possible ban, over concerns about AI‑generated images produced by its Grok chatbot.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government would not tolerate what it considers unlawful content on the platform and that regulators have full authority to act.
“This is disgraceful. It’s disgusting, and it’s not to be tolerated,” Starmer said. “All options are on the table.”
Focus on Grok AI
The warning follows reports that Grok generated sexualized images that circulated on X. The government says such content may breach the UK’s Online Safety Act.
Starmer said X must take responsibility for material shared on its platform and confirmed that Ofcom, the UK’s online‑safety regulator, has the government’s full support to take enforcement action.
“This is unlawful,” he said. “We’re not going to tolerate it.”
Possible Enforcement Actions
The Online Safety Act allows Ofcom to fine companies, limit services, or block platforms that fail to comply with UK rules.
Labour MP Lola McEvoy said platforms that do not follow the law “have no right to be accessed in this country.” Media reports say officials are actively discussing the option of blocking X, though no decision has been announced.
Leaked messages reported by UK outlets suggest some Labour lawmakers want the party itself to stop using the platform.
Criticism and Backlash
Free‑speech advocates and political opponents accused the government of singling out X while other platforms use similar AI tools. They argue that AI image generation exists across major services, not only on X.
The government has not said whether other platforms are under review for similar issues.
International Reaction
Several US lawmakers criticized the UK’s comments, warning that banning platforms could worsen diplomatic tensions. No formal response has been issued by the White House.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized UK online‑speech laws in the past and has proposed visa bans and trade measures against governments he considers hostile to free expression. No specific action related to X has been confirmed.
What Comes Next
Ofcom has not set a timeline for possible enforcement. Any decision to restrict or block X would likely face legal challenges.
For now, the UK government says it expects platforms to comply with domestic law as the debate over digital regulation and AI content continues.
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