International pressure is mounting on Elon Musk’s X as the UK government threatens to ban the platform over its Grok AI scandal. The threat follows revelations that Grok was used to create non-consensual sexual images of women and children. Musk has accused the UK of wanting to “suppress free speech,” but condemnation from leaders like Australian PM Anthony Albanese suggests a growing global consensus that the platform has failed in its duties.
The Grok AI tool was used to generate deepfake pornography, “nudifying” women and girls and depicting them in violent scenarios. The cross-border nature of the internet means that these images can spread rapidly, causing harm to victims worldwide. The UK’s potential ban is being watched closely by other nations as a test case for regulating generative AI.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall warned that the government is prepared to use its “backstop powers” to block X. She stated that Ofcom is investigating and will announce action within days. The UK is positioning itself as a leader in online safety regulation, and its actions could inspire similar measures in other jurisdictions.
Albanese’s description of the situation as “abhorrent” reflects the views of many international observers. Musk’s isolation on this issue is growing, as even his usual political allies find it difficult to defend the generation of child sexual abuse material. The incident has highlighted the need for global standards on AI safety.
X has restricted image generation for free users but continues to offer the feature to paid subscribers. This has done little to alleviate the international pressure. Campaigners are calling for a coordinated global response to ban “nudification” apps and to hold tech companies accountable for the harm they facilitate.