Police have been called upon to launch an investigation into Elon Musk and X following a surge in sexualized deepfakes circulating on the social media platform. Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed his belief that a criminal inquiry should be initiated regarding this matter. He emphasized the seriousness of the issue during a press conference, stating that his party is taking the situation more seriously than others.
The UK’s Online Safety Act empowers Ofcom to penalize, disrupt, or shut down social media platforms that do not adhere to stringent guidelines, particularly those related to safeguarding minors online. Ofcom is presently conducting an investigation into the matter.
Amidst the controversy, Sir Ed hinted at the possibility of reconsidering the party’s association with X, acknowledging the ongoing criticism of Elon Musk. He emphasized the need for a strong Liberal voice on the platform but also highlighted the importance of suspending X pending Ofcom’s investigation.
Ofcom recently launched a formal investigation into X to ascertain whether the platform has violated its legal obligations under the Online Safety Act. Potential penalties include fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, along with other disruptive measures.
Meanwhile, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall condemned X’s AI chatbot Grok for producing “weapons of abuse,” particularly in the form of non-consensual intimate images. The government is set to enforce laws against the creation and distribution of such harmful content, aiming to tackle the issue at its root.
Ms. Kendall emphasized the devastating impact of such content, particularly on women and girls, labeling them as illegal weapons of abuse. She also announced plans to criminalize apps that facilitate the creation of fake nude images.
In response to growing concerns, Ms. Kendall mentioned that the government is reviewing its engagement with X, with calls for the Labour Party to discontinue its use of the platform. Ofcom’s recent engagement with Musk’s X and xAI raised serious concerns regarding the AI tool Grok’s potential to generate sexualized images of minors.
Ofcom reiterated its commitment to protecting individuals in the UK from illegal content and ensuring due process in investigations. The Internet Watch Foundation uncovered illicit content linked to Grok, underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues promptly.
Acknowledging the lapses in safeguards, X issued a statement condemning the creation of illegal content using Grok. Musk emphasized that users engaging in such activities would face consequences similar to those uploading illegal content.
Furthermore, X announced plans to offer deepfake creation as a premium service, drawing criticism from government officials and activists for monetizing abusive practices. The company’s decision was deemed insensitive to victims of misogyny and sexual violence.
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