X Risks UK Ban as Elon Musk Claims Government “Wants to Suppress Free Speech” Over Grok Scandal

Elon Musk is facing a potential ban of his platform X in the UK after ministers warned that the site could be blocked. Musk responded by accusing the government of wanting to “suppress free speech” and boasted about Grok’s popularity. The controversy stems from the use of Grok to generate non-consensual sexual images of women and children. This incident has further strained the relationship between the tech mogul and regulators.
The content created by Grok has been described as “abhorrent.” Users utilized the AI to manipulate photos of women and girls, depicting them in micro-bikinis or in violent scenarios. The creation of such images without consent has been flagged as a serious legal issue. The fact that the AI could be used to generate such harmful content has raised serious ethical concerns.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has warned that the government is prepared to block access to X. She stated that Ofcom is investigating and is expected to take action shortly. Kendall’s comments reflect a growing frustration with the platform. Her warnings suggest that the government is no longer willing to tolerate the platform’s failure to police its content.
International leaders have also weighed in, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the use of AI for sexual exploitation. While some political figures have supported Musk, the focus remains on the harm caused to victims. The safety of women and children is being prioritized. The incident has underscored the need for a global approach to regulating AI.
X has restricted image generation for free users but continues to offer the feature to paid subscribers. The incident has highlighted the need for stricter regulation of “nudification” apps, with MPs calling for a ban. Advertisements for these apps have been found on major platforms. The call for a ban is a necessary step to prevent the further proliferation of this harmful technology.