X ban in UK: Elon Musk-owned social media platform X (formerly Twitter) could face serious regulatory action in the United Kingdom amid a growing controversy involving its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok.
According to reports, Grok has allegedly been used to generate explicit and nude images of women and children, triggering widespread concern among lawmakers and child protection groups. The issue has now reached the highest levels of the UK government.
X ban in UK ?
PM Keir Starmer Seeks Regulatory Review
As per a report by The Telegraph, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asked the country’s media regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), to explore all available options under the law after being briefed on allegations that Grok could be misused to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Sources from 10 Downing Street told the newspaper that the UK government holds significant powers under the Online Safety Act, including:
- Imposing multi-billion-pound fines
- Or, in extreme cases, blocking access to X entirely in the UK
X Has 20 Million Users in the UK
X currently has an estimated 650 million users globally, with around 20 million users in the UK alone. Any restriction or ban would therefore have a major impact on both users and advertisers in the country.
The controversy adds to increasing global scrutiny of AI-generated content, especially deepfake imagery and tools that can be misused to exploit women and children.
Online Safety Act Under Spotlight
The UK’s Online Safety Act was designed to hold tech platforms accountable for harmful content, particularly material involving minors. Regulators are now assessing whether X has failed to put adequate safeguards in place to prevent such misuse of its AI systems.
What Happens Next?
At this stage, no final decision has been announced. However, officials have indicated that all regulatory options remain open, including financial penalties or access restrictions if violations are confirmed.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as Ofcom completes its review.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on global tech regulation, AI safety, and social media news.
Chaitan Limkar is a tech and entertainment writer passionate about innovation, media, and the stories shaping the digital world.
