Police have been called upon to investigate Elon Musk and X in light of a surge in sexualized deepfake content on the social media platform.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has advocated for a criminal investigation into the matter. Speaking at a press conference, he emphasized the need for a serious examination of Elon Musk and his platform, stressing the urgency of the situation.
Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, Ofcom has been granted authority to penalize, disrupt, or shut down social media platforms that do not adhere to stringent regulations, particularly those concerning the protection of minors online. Ofcom has initiated an investigation into the issue.
Meanwhile, Sir Ed hinted at the possibility of considering leaving X, noting the party’s strong criticism of Mr. Musk. He highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining a strong liberal voice on the platform and the need for suspension during Ofcom’s investigation.
Regarding the investigation, Ofcom recently launched a formal inquiry into X to determine compliance with legal obligations outlined in the Online Safety Act. Potential fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue could be imposed, along with other measures such as business disruptions.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall condemned the use of AI chatbot Grok on X, labeling the generated images as tools of abuse. She announced forthcoming legislation criminalizing the creation of non-consensual intimate images and applications facilitating the creation of fake nude images.
Addressing the severity of the issue, Ms. Kendall emphasized the devastating impact of such content, particularly on women and girls, and stressed the illegal nature of these actions.
In response to growing concerns, Ofcom has reached out to Musk’s X and xAI over worries about the AI tool Grok creating sexualized images of children. Ofcom reiterated the need for platforms to safeguard against illegal content, especially where children may be at risk.
The Internet Watch Foundation reported instances of criminal imagery involving children allegedly created using Grok. Musk affirmed that using Grok for illicit content will lead to consequences akin to uploading illegal material.
X’s decision to monetize the creation of deepfakes through Grok as a premium service was met with criticism from authorities and activists, who condemned the move as insensitive to victims and an attempt to profit from abusive practices.