The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has officially opened an investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. The probe focuses on reports that its AI tool, Grok, is being used to generate non-consensual sexualized imagery and explicit content involving children.
The Legal Stakes
This investigation marks a major test of the UK’s Online Safety Act. If X is found to have breached these laws, the consequences are severe:
- Massive Fines: Ofcom can issue penalties of up to 10% of X’s global revenue.
- Access Bans: In extreme cases, the regulator can seek a court order to block the site entirely within the UK.
- Child Safety: Investigators are specifically checking if X used “highly effective age assurance” to prevent minors from seeing adult content.
Global and Political Backlash
The move comes as Malaysia and Indonesia have already blocked the Grok tool over similar concerns. While Elon Musk has criticized the investigation as an “excuse for censorship,” UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall insisted the probe is vital for protecting victims of “systematic violence.”
As of today, Downing Street has placed its own presence on the platform “under review,” signaling that the government may abandon X if safety standards are not met.
MORE LINK: World First: Malaysia and Indonesia Block Elon Musk’s Grok AI