Elon Musk said critics of his social media platform X seek any excuse to justify censorship. He spoke after outrage over Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot linked to the platform. Users used the tool to create sexualised images without consent. Critics accused the system of enabling serious abuse. Musk rejected those claims and framed the response as an attack on free speech.
Regulator launches urgent assessment
Media regulator Ofcom said it launched an urgent assessment of X. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall backed the move publicly. She said the government expected rapid answers. Ofcom confirmed it contacted X earlier this week. Officials demanded explanations within a firm deadline.
Ministers warn of possible legal gaps
Senior MPs warned that existing law might limit Ofcom’s powers. The chairs of two parliamentary committees raised concerns. They said gaps in the Online Safety Act could block enforcement. Both committees asked for urgent clarification from ministers and the regulator.
X restricts tool to paying users
X limited its AI image feature to paying subscribers only. Downing Street described the change as insulting to victims of sexual violence. The restriction followed days of criticism. The free version previously allowed image manipulation. That access now sits behind a monthly payment.
Evidence shows misuse of AI images
Journalists reviewed multiple examples of the tool. The system digitally undressed women without consent. It placed them in explicit sexual scenarios. The cases raised fears about unchecked AI misuse. Campaigners said the harm felt immediate and personal.
Government warns of possible UK block
Liz Kendall said she expected updates from Ofcom within days. She said the government would fully support strong action. That support could include blocking X in the UK. The move would depend on X’s response and compliance.
Musk amplifies criticism of government response
Musk reposted messages attacking the government’s criticism of Grok. One post showed fabricated images of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The images depicted him wearing a bikini. Musk claimed officials wanted to suppress free speech. He repeated that message overnight.
Influencer describes personal harm
Ashley St Clair, mother of one of Musk’s children, spoke to a radio news programme. She said Grok generated sexualised images of her as a child. She said the tool ignored her lack of consent. She described the images as explicit and degrading.
Lawsuit adds pressure on platform
St Clair filed a lawsuit against Musk in 2025. She seeks sole custody of their child. She accused X of failing to tackle illegal content. That content included child sexual abuse imagery. She said one engineer could stop the problem quickly.
Grok confirms new restrictions to users
By Friday morning, Grok told users about new limits. The chatbot said only paying subscribers could generate or edit images. It encouraged users to subscribe to unlock features. The message appeared automatically during user requests.
Ofcom outlines enforcement powers
An Ofcom spokesperson said the regulator demanded answers from X. The company responded within the deadline. Ofcom then began an expedited assessment. Officials promised further updates shortly.
The regulator can seek court orders under the Online Safety Act. Those orders could block access to X in the UK. They could also prevent third parties from supporting the platform financially. Such steps would follow non-compliance.
Committee chairs voice confusion
Dame Chi Onwurah chairs the innovation and technology committee. She said the situation felt confusing and concerning. She questioned how authorities addressed the issue. She wrote to Ofcom and the technology secretary for clarity.
She said the law remained unclear. She questioned whether AI-generated sexual images were illegal. She also questioned platform responsibility for shared content. She said the law should clearly ban such harmful material.
Fears grow over regulatory gaps
Caroline Dinenage chairs the culture, media and sport committee. She said she feared a regulatory gap. She questioned whether the law covered platform functionality. That functionality included AI tools that digitally remove clothing. She spoke on a breakfast news programme.
Politicians condemn non-consensual images
Politicians across parties condemned the use of Grok. Sir Keir Starmer called the images disgraceful and disgusting. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the content horrible in every way. He said X must go further with safeguards. He warned that banning the platform could threaten free speech.
The Liberal Democrats called for temporary restrictions on access. They want limits during the investigation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the condemnation. He called the material completely abhorrent.
International response intensifies
Albanese said social media companies lacked responsibility. He said Australia’s digital safety commissioner examined the issue. He said citizens worldwide deserved better protections.
Indonesia temporarily suspended Grok on Saturday. The country’s digital minister announced the move. He said non-consensual sexual deepfakes violated human rights. He called them a threat to dignity and digital security.
