What's happened
UK government officials are debating whether to exit X due to widespread AI-generated images of women and children, including sexualised and non-consensual deepfakes. The controversy follows reports of the platform's AI tool, Grok, being used to create harmful content, prompting calls for regulatory action and potential platform bans.
What's behind the headline?
The debate over X's role in facilitating harmful AI-generated content highlights the tension between free speech and online safety. The UK government’s consideration of leaving the platform reflects growing concern over its inability to control AI misuse, especially involving minors. The move by the women and equalities committee to cease using X signals a shift towards prioritising online safety over political engagement. The government’s reliance on Ofcom’s regulatory powers indicates a recognition that self-regulation has failed, and more stringent measures are imminent. This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive AI regulation, as platforms like X become battlegrounds for digital safety and free expression. The next steps will likely involve legal sanctions, platform restrictions, or even bans, shaping the future of social media governance.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that UK ministers are actively considering leaving X due to the platform’s failure to prevent AI-generated images of children and women, with calls for regulatory action intensifying. The Guardian highlights the decision by the Commons women and equalities committee to stop using X, citing the proliferation of harmful deepfakes and non-consensual imagery. Both articles emphasize the government’s reliance on Ofcom’s powers under the Online Safety Act to enforce compliance, with some MPs urging a complete exit from the platform. Contrasting opinions include Nigel Farage’s reluctance to abandon X despite concerns over harmful content, arguing that engagement is necessary for political influence, while others see platform withdrawal as a moral imperative to protect vulnerable users. The debate reflects broader tensions between free speech, regulation, and online safety, with the government under pressure to act decisively.
How we got here
The controversy stems from the use of X's AI tool, Grok, which has been exploited to generate disturbing images of women and children, including sexualised and non-consensual deepfakes. The UK government and parliamentary committees have expressed concern, with some considering withdrawing from the platform. Ofcom is investigating X's compliance with online safety laws, amid mounting pressure to regulate or ban the platform.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Elizabeth Louise Kendall is a British Labour Party politician who has been Member of Parliament for Leicester West since 2010.
Kendall was educated at Queens' College, Cambridge where she read history.