Elon Musk said critics of X exploited the controversy to justify censorship. He spoke after outrage over Grok, an AI chatbot on the platform. Users created sexualised images without consent. Campaigners said the tool caused serious harm. Musk dismissed the criticism as an attack on free speech.
Ofcom launches rapid investigation
Media regulator Ofcom said it opened an urgent assessment of X. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed full government backing. She said officials expected quick answers. Ofcom contacted X earlier this week. The regulator set a strict deadline for explanations.
MPs warn of safety law gaps
Senior MPs said current legislation might limit enforcement. Chairs of two parliamentary committees highlighted concerns. They said gaps in the Online Safety Act could restrict action. Both committees requested urgent clarification from ministers and Ofcom.
X restricts AI image tool to subscribers
X limited its AI image feature to paying users. Downing Street called the move insulting to victims of sexual violence. The restriction followed growing political pressure. The free version previously allowed image manipulation. Users now must pay a monthly fee to access it.
Investigations reveal misuse of AI
Journalists reviewed several outputs from Grok. The system digitally removed clothing from women without consent. It placed them in explicit sexual situations. Campaigners said the technology enabled abuse at scale. Victims described the images as deeply distressing.
Government signals possible strong action
Liz Kendall said she expected updates from Ofcom within days. She said the government would support firm enforcement. That support could include blocking X in the UK. Any action would depend on the platform’s cooperation.
Musk criticizes government response
Musk reposted messages attacking officials’ handling of Grok. One repost showed fabricated images of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The images depicted him wearing a bikini. Musk said authorities wanted to silence free speech. He repeated the claim overnight.
Influencer recounts personal harm
Ashley St Clair spoke on a radio news programme. She said Grok created sexualised images of her as a child. She said the system ignored her lack of consent. She described the images as explicit and humiliating.
Custody lawsuit adds pressure
St Clair filed a lawsuit against Musk in 2025. She seeks sole custody of their child. She accused X of failing to remove illegal content. That content included child sexual abuse imagery. She said one engineer could stop the abuse.
Grok informs users of new restrictions
By Friday, Grok told users about new limits. The chatbot said only subscribers could generate or edit images. It encouraged users to pay to unlock features. The message appeared during image requests.
Ofcom outlines enforcement options
An Ofcom spokesperson said officials demanded explanations from X. The company responded before the deadline. Ofcom then launched an expedited assessment. Officials said further updates would follow soon.
The regulator can seek court orders under the Online Safety Act. Orders could block X in the UK. They could also prevent third-party financial support.
Committee chairs call for clarity
Dame Chi Onwurah chairs the innovation and technology committee. She said the situation caused confusion and concern. She questioned how authorities addressed the issue. She wrote to Ofcom and the technology secretary.
She said the law remained unclear. She questioned whether AI-generated sexual images were illegal. She also questioned platform responsibility for shared content. She said legislation should clearly outlaw such harm.
Fears rise over regulatory loopholes
Caroline Dinenage chairs the culture, media and sport committee. She said she feared a gap in regulation. She questioned whether the law covered platform functionality. That included AI tools that digitally remove clothing. She spoke on a breakfast news programme.
Political condemnation spreads
Politicians across parties condemned the misuse of Grok. Sir Keir Starmer called the images disgraceful and disgusting. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the content horrible in every way. He said X must strengthen safeguards. He warned banning the platform could threaten free speech.
The Liberal Democrats called for temporary access restrictions. They want limits while investigations continue. Australia’s prime minister echoed the criticism. He called the material completely abhorrent.
International response grows
The Australian leader said social media platforms lacked responsibility. He said the national digital safety commissioner reviewed the case. He said citizens worldwide deserved better protection.
Indonesia temporarily suspended Grok on Saturday. The country’s digital minister announced the decision. He said non-consensual sexual deepfakes violated human rights. He called them a threat to dignity and digital security.
