Ofcom has initiated a formal inquiry into Elon Musk’s X platform concerning the production of sexualized deepfake images using its AI chatbot tool. The UK media regulator aims to determine whether the social media site has violated its obligations under the Online Safety Act, with potential penalties of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue.
Aside from financial sanctions, Ofcom may enforce business disruptions like compelling payment providers or advertising services to cease operations on the platform. Emphasizing the investigation’s urgency, Ofcom expressed a commitment to handle the matter promptly.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall praised the investigation launch, urging Ofcom to swiftly conclude the inquiry. She intends to update Members of Parliament on the government’s response later today.
Recent reports prompted Ofcom to reach out urgently to Musk’s X and xAI regarding concerns over Grok, an AI tool generating sexualized images of minors on the platform. Ofcom highlighted the creation and sharing of non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse materials on X using Grok as deeply unsettling.
A spokesperson from Ofcom underscored the necessity for platforms to safeguard UK users from illegal content. The regulator vowed to prioritize the investigation while upholding due process and ensuring fairness in its decisions.
Concerns have escalated over offensive deepfake content on Musk’s X, particularly the creation of sexualized images by the AI bot Grok without consent. Business Secretary Peter Kyle indicated the UK’s intention to take action to enhance online safety, citing inadequacies on platforms like X in protecting users.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy mentioned that US Vice President JD Vance expressed support for addressing issues related to the production of Grok-generated images. However, a comparison drawn by Donald Trump’s free speech advisor likening UK threats to Russia raised further debate.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Sarah Rogers from the US State Department suggested that the UK might consider a ban similar to Russia’s to shield individuals from inappropriate images online. The Internet Watch Foundation reported the discovery of criminal imagery, potentially involving Grok, on dark web forums.
In response to concerns, Musk’s X acknowledged security lapses and took immediate corrective actions, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal content creation. The decision to offer deepfake creation as a premium service drew criticism from officials and was deemed exploitative by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
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