Britain’s media watchdog has trained its sights on Elon Musk’s X, and this time, it’s about AI gone too far.
Could a chatbot really cross legal red lines? Regulators believe it may have.
Ofcom has opened an investigation into Grok, X’s AI assistant, over claims it was used to generate sexually explicit deepfake images.
These include illegal non-consensual content and child sexual abuse material.
“These reports are deeply concerning,” the regulator said, warning it will act swiftly where there’s a risk of harm — especially to children.
X insists it takes illegal content seriously.
In a statement, the platform said anyone using Grok to create unlawful material would face the same penalties as users who upload it directly.
This includes account bans and cooperation with law enforcement.
Pressure Mounts On X
Political pressure is mounting. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images “disgusting” and “unlawful,” saying X needs to “get a grip.”
Business Secretary Peter Kyle confirmed that a ban on X is possible — though that decision rests with Ofcom.
Musk, unsurprisingly, cried foul, accusing Britain of suppressing free speech.
The government pushed back. “This is about protecting children and tackling violence against women,” a spokesperson said. “We will not tolerate it.”
With France, India, Indonesia and Malaysia also raising alarms, the Grok saga may become the first major stress test of Britain’s online safety law.
The bigger question? Can tech innovation outrun accountability — or has it finally hit a wall?
