Elon Musk’s technology platform is facing criticism from the UK’s Technology Secretary over the presence of inappropriate deepfake content involving children. Liz Kendall issued a stern warning to Musk, emphasizing the UK’s stance against the spread of harmful material online.
Kendall urged Musk’s social media company to address the issue promptly and expressed full support for Ofcom to take enforcement actions against the platform and its AI tool, Grok.
The UK media regulator, Ofcom, has reached out to Musk’s platform regarding concerns about the creation of sexualized images of children using an AI tool called Grok. Users have reportedly requested the tool to generate revealing images of individuals, including public figures like Kate Middleton.
Kendall condemned the dissemination of degrading deepfake content online, particularly targeting women and girls, emphasizing the need for immediate action. She stressed that while freedom of speech is important, it should not violate laws.
The UK government has classified intimate image abuse, cyberflashing, and AI-generated offenses as priority offenses under the Online Safety Act. Platforms are required to prevent and promptly remove such content.
According to Musk, steps are being taken to address the identified lapses in content safeguards on the platform, with a zero-tolerance policy for illegal content creation. Musk reiterated that individuals engaging in illegal activities will face consequences.
Ofcom highlighted its commitment to combatting illegal online content and protecting children, emphasizing the importance of compliance with legal obligations. The regulator will assess the platform’s response to determine the need for further investigation.
The dissemination of non-consensual intimate images or child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated deepfakes, is illegal. Offenders can be prosecuted for criminal activities online under the law.
Under the Online Safety Act, tech companies must assess and mitigate the risk of users encountering illegal content, promptly removing such content when identified. Compliance with regulations is crucial for promoting a safer online environment.
Grok’s response to the concerns raised by Kendall emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance safeguards against harmful content, including better filtering of inappropriate prompts. The company reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance and ensuring a secure online space.