Elon Musk’s technology company is facing criticism from the UK’s Technology Secretary over the presence of inappropriate deepfake content involving children on its platform. Liz Kendall issued a stern warning to Musk, emphasizing that the UK will not tolerate the dissemination of offensive material online.
Kendall urged Musk’s social media firm to address the issue promptly and expressed full support for Ofcom to take necessary enforcement actions against the company. Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, has already reached out to Musk’s company regarding concerns about its AI tool, Grok, generating sexualized images of minors on the platform.
Reports indicate that users on the platform have been requesting Grok to manipulate real images of individuals, including placing them in revealing attire. Prominent figures like Kate Middleton are said to have been targeted by these actions.
In response to the situation, Kendall stressed the need for urgent action, emphasizing that the dissemination of degrading and demeaning content, particularly towards women and girls, is unacceptable. She supported Ofcom’s investigation and underscored the importance of platforms acting responsibly within the boundaries of the law.
The UK government has classified intimate image abuse and cyberflashing, including those facilitated by AI, as priority offenses under the Online Safety Act. Platforms are required to prevent such content from appearing online and promptly remove it if detected.
Furthermore, the government has implemented legislation to prohibit the creation of explicit deepfakes without consent, citing the harmful impact of such content. Musk’s company acknowledged deficiencies in its safeguards and vowed to address them promptly, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal content creation.
Ofcom reaffirmed its commitment to combatting illegal online harm and safeguarding children, emphasizing the need for tech firms to comply with legal obligations and protect users. The use of AI to create non-consensual intimate images or abusive material is illegal, with potential legal repercussions for offenders.
Under the Online Safety Act, tech companies must assess and mitigate the risk of users encountering illegal content, swiftly removing any such content identified. In response to concerns raised by Kendall, Musk’s company pledged to enhance safeguards on its platform to prevent harmful content and ensure compliance with regulations.
The company emphasized its dedication to fostering a safer online environment and supporting regulatory efforts to combat inappropriate online content.