UK Threatens Regulation of X’s Grok AI Over Sexualised Images of Women, Children

UK Threatens Regulation of X’s Grok AI Over Sexualised Images of Women, Children

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the UK government will step in to regulate X’s AI chatbot Grok if the platform continues to allow the creation of sexualised images of women and children.

Speaking to MPs at a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, Sir Keir described the actions of Grok and X as “absolutely disgusting and shameful” and said: “If X cannot control Grok, we will — and we’ll do it fast, because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate.”

The AI tool Grok, owned by Elon Musk’s social media platform X, has been reported to generate non-consensual sexual images by manipulating photos of people to remove their clothes or place them in suggestive poses. While X has restricted Grok’s image-generation function to paying subscribers following global backlash, some non-paying users report continued access to the tool.

Sir Keir condemned the platform’s prioritisation of abusive users over the safety of women and children, stating: “We won’t stand for it… this government will be guided by its values. We’ll stand up for the vulnerable against the powerful.”

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Downing Street indicated that the government could end its use of X if the company fails to address concerns about its AI chatbot, adding that “all options are on the table.”

Over the weekend, Elon Musk accused the UK government of seeking “any excuse for censorship” after Sir Keir demanded that X “get a grip” on Grok.

In a related move, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced accelerated legislation to criminalise the creation of non-consensual intimate images using AI, including making the act illegal for anyone requesting such images. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, passed last year, will now be implemented faster for AI-related sections, and the Crime and Policing Bill will make it an offence for companies to supply tools enabling non-consensual content creation.

Meanwhile, media regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into Grok, examining whether X has failed to comply with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom said there were “deeply concerning reports” of Grok being used to produce sexualised images of children and intimate image abuse, which may constitute criminal offences.

Despite the criticism in the UK, US officials have embraced Grok for military applications. On Monday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Grok will integrate with Google’s generative AI engine within the Pentagon network, reflecting a broader push to leverage AI for military operations.

The situation highlights growing international concerns over the ethical use of AI tools, with tensions rising between governments seeking regulation and tech companies pushing innovation.

UK Threatens Regulation of X’s Grok AI Over Sexualised Images of Women, Children

skynews