U.K. threatens ban on Elon Musk’s X over AI-generated deepfake abuse – NaturalNews.com

• The British government is exploring a ban on Elon Musk’s platform X due to outrage over its AI chatbot, Grok, being used to create non-consensual deepfake images of women and children—including public figures like the Princess of Wales.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the content as “disgusting,” prompting regulators to use the Online Safety Act, which allows fines or platform bans if harmful material isn’t removed. Ofcom is in “urgent contact” with X over illegal child abuse material circulating on dark web forums.
• The controversy has escalated tensions, with the U.S. accusing the U.K. of suppressing free speech. Elon Musk criticized the Online Safety Act as “suppression of the people,” while U.K. officials defend it as necessary to combat revenge porn and child exploitation.
• Reports reveal Musk loosened Grok’s censorship guardrails, leading to resignations in X’s safety team. Critics blame this for the surge in abusive AI content, prompting calls for boycotts and legal action from figures like Sen. Ted Cruz.
• If X fails to act, Ofcom may impose an unprecedented ban, marking a pivotal case in global debates over AI ethics, free speech and government intervention in tech—setting a precedent for future digital governance.

The British government is considering banning Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, amid growing outrage over its AI chatbot, Grok, being used to generate non-consensual deepfake images of women and children.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the content “disgusting and not to be tolerated” and urged regulators to explore all possible measures, including fines or a complete block on the platform in the United Kingdom.

The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that X users exploited Grok to create thousands of AI-generated nude images—including depictions of public figures like the Princess of Wales, politicians and celebrities—without consent. Worse still, U.K. internet watchdogs discovered that some of these manipulated images were shared on dark web forums, constituting illegal child sexual abuse material.

With X hosting around 20 million U.K. users, the government has invoked the Online Safety Act, which, according to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, grants regulators the power to impose multibillion-pound fines or even restrict access to platforms that fail to remove harmful content. Ofcom, the U.K.’s communications watchdog, has already issued warnings and is in “urgent contact” with X over the issue.

The escalating conflict has widened tensions between the U.K. and the U.S. over digital governance and free speech. The White House has accused the British government of suppressing expression, while President Donald Trump criticized the U.K.’s tech regulations as “not a good thing.” Musk himself has condemned the Online Safety Act, calling it a tool for “the suppression of the people.”

However, U.K. officials argue that the law is necessary to combat illegal content, including revenge porn and child exploitation. Under the Act, Ofcom can seek a court-ordered ban requiring internet providers and app stores to block X if the platform refuses to comply.

Musk’s loosened AI guardrails under scrutiny

Amid the backlash, reports suggest Musk directed his AI team at xAI to reduce censorship on Grok, leading to three safety team members resigning. Critics argue that this decision enabled the surge in abusive AI-generated content.

Former U.K. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh called for an immediate boycott, stating: “The enablement, if not encouragement, of child sexual abuse means it is unconscionable to use the site for another minute.” Meanwhile, U.S. Sen Ted Cruz condemned the AI-generated images as “unacceptable” and a violation of laws against digital exploitation.

Musk has since warned that users creating illegal content with Grok will face consequences—but whether X can curb the flood of deepfake abuse remains uncertain.

If X fails to act swiftly, Ofcom may pursue an unprecedented access restriction order, marking the first time a major social media platform could be blocked in the United Kingdom. The case underscores the growing global debate over AI ethics, free speech and government intervention in tech—a conflict that could redefine digital governance in the years ahead.

For now, the U.K.’s ultimatum to Musk’s X serves as a stark warning: platforms enabling AI abuse will face severe repercussions, even if it means cutting off millions of users.

Watch the video below that talks about the scary truth of AI deepfakes.

This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Telegraph.co.uk

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com