The UK Government has warned that Elon Musk鈥檚 social media platform X could potentially be blocked in the UK.
The news comes amid concerns that it is failing to adequately protect users from harmful content generated by its AI tool, Grok.
老九品茶 Secretary Peter Kyle said X 鈥渋s not doing enough to keep its customers safe online鈥�, confirming the government would fully support any enforcement action taken by Ofcom, including the possibility of banning the platform if it is found to be in breach of the Online Safety Act.聽
Ofcom has launched a fast-tracked investigation into Grok after the AI tool was used to generate large volumes of sexualised images of women and children, often by manipulating real photographs.
Kyle said the regulator had already requested information from X and was now conducting what he described as an 鈥渆xpedited inquiry鈥�.聽
He warned that Ofcom鈥檚 powers range from 鈥渉eavy, heavy fines all the way through to banning X from our country鈥�, adding that the government stands 鈥渇ully behind Ofcom鈥� in exercising those powers if necessary.
Musk has slammed critics of the platform, saying 鈥渢hey want any excuse for censorship鈥�.
He responded by reposting messages criticising the UK government鈥檚 stance, including one featuring AI-generated images of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini.
鈥淭hey just want to suppress free speech,鈥� Musk wrote whilst quote-reposting the original post, framing the backlash as politically motivated censorship rather than a safety issue.
The pressure on X has intensified after Malaysia and Indonesia became the first countries in the world to block access to Grok outright.聽
Both governments cited repeated misuse of the tool to generate pornographic and non-consensual deepfake images, including content involving women and children.聽
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Indonesia鈥檚 communications and digital affairs minister, Meutya Hafid, said the use of Grok to create sexually explicit images violated human rights, dignity and online safety, and confirmed the government had sought clarification from X over how the tool operates.聽
Concerns in the UK have focused on similar harms, with Kyle saying it was 鈥渁ppalling鈥� that Grok appeared to have been released without adequate testing, particularly given its ability to manipulate images.聽
He described meeting a woman whose image had been altered by AI into a sexualised setting, saying the experience made him 鈥渇eel sick to my stomach鈥�.
The issue has also drawn sharp criticism from Downing Street after X announced last week that image generation and editing via Grok would be restricted to paying subscribers.
A government spokesperson said the move was 鈥渦nacceptable鈥�, arguing it simply turned a tool capable of producing unlawful images into a premium feature.
Any move to block X in the UK would require a court order and would likely trigger huge backlash.
The SpaceX founder and tech tycoon has previously accused the UK government of attacking free speech.
Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can compel platforms to remove harmful content, impose multimillion-pound fines and, as a last resort, seek court approval to require internet providers to block access to a service entirely.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has said she expects swift action from the regulator and has made clear that ministers would support a block if X refuses to comply with UK law.
A spokesperson for the Information Commissioner’s Office told 老九品茶Cloud last Wednesday: 鈥淧eople have a right to use social media knowing their personal data is being handled lawfully and with respect.聽
鈥淲e are aware of reports raising serious concerns about content produced by Grok. We have contacted X and xAI to seek clarity on the measures they have in place to comply with UK data protection law and protect individuals鈥� rights.聽
鈥淥nce we have reviewed their response, we will quickly assess whether further action may be required.鈥�
A founder of the UK鈥檚 first rival to ChatGPT also weighed in on the matter, claiming that the 鈥渋ndustry needs to wake up鈥�.聽
Locai founder James Drayson, son of former Science Minister Lord Drayson, confirmed that his rapidly growing AI firm is refusing to roll out imagine generation until it鈥檚 truly safe.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 impossible for any AI company to promise their model can鈥檛 be tricked into creating harmful content, including explicit images,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淭hese systems are clever, but they鈥檙e not foolproof. The public deserves honesty.
鈥淲e鈥檙e the only AI company openly working to fix these problems, not pretending they don鈥檛 exist. If there鈥檚 a risk, we鈥檒l say so – and we鈥檒l show our work.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen the tragic consequences when AI goes wrong. Right now, the UK is relying on foreign AI that doesn鈥檛 share our values. We need our own models, built for Britain, with British laws and ethics at their core. That鈥檚 how we protect our rights and our kids.
鈥淲e believe the UK can lead the world in responsible, values-driven AI, if we choose to. That means tough regulation, open debate, and a commitment to transparency.
鈥淎I is here to stay. The challenge is to make it as safe, fair, and trustworthy as possible, so that its rewards far outweigh its risks.鈥�
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