UK Grok ban stay: Minister warns X will likely be ‘dealt with’ after deepfake row as Musk lashes out over Ofcom probe | EUROtoday
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X’s transfer to solely permit paying subscribers to make use of its AI software ‘insulting’, says Downing Street
Downing Street has criticised X’s transfer to limit its AI software Grok, claiming the adjustments are “not a solution”.
On Friday, adjustments have been made to Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot, which now limits the power to generate photos to paying subscribers solely.
It adopted world backlash after the software was used to digitally take away clothes from youngsters.
But Downing Street has warned that the adjustments have been “insulting” to victims of misogyny and sexual violence and had made creating deepfakes a “premium service”.
The prime minister has advised the social media platform may very well be utterly blocked within the UK after “unlawful” and “disgusting” photos have been generated.
Harriette Boucher12 January 2026 10:40
‘I feel violated and dehumanised after X’s Grok AI stripped me bare’
Women say they’ve been left feeling “violated and humiliated” after “dehumanising” photos of them have been created by customers of Grok AI with out their consent.
Evie, 22, who didn’t want to share her surname, stated she has been bombarded with greater than 100 sexualised photos of herself in lower than per week, together with one which digitally stripped her bare.
“I just feel like I’ve been violated,” she informed The Independent. “I’m just so shocked there are people out there who can do this – and that there are so many people who will defend it and come up with excuses for this when it’s blatantly a huge violation.”
Read Tara Cobham’s full story right here
Harriette Boucher12 January 2026 09:56
Two international locations turn into first to dam X over Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok
Malaysia and Indonesia have turn into the primary international locations to dam Grok, the substitute intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, after authorities stated it was being misused to generate sexually specific and non-consensual photos.
The strikes replicate rising world concern over generative AI instruments that may produce life like photos, sound and textual content, whereas present safeguards fail to forestall their abuse.
The Grok chatbot, which is accessed via Musk’s social media platform X, has been criticized for producing manipulated photos, together with depictions of girls in bikinis or sexually specific poses, in addition to photos involving youngsters.
Harriette Boucher12 January 2026 09:40
Minister says X ‘not doing enough to keep customers safe’
A authorities minister has stated X continues to be “not doing enough to keep its customers safe online”, amid requires the federal government to ban Elon Musk’s social media platform.
Business secretary Peter Kyle informed BBC Breakfast that the indecent AI photos which have been generated in latest days are an “affront to people’s diginity” and are “making people feel unsafe”.
He stated it was “appalling” that X had not examined Grok correctly, and including, the federal government “stands fully behind Ofcom” in utilizing their full powers – which embody successfully banning X.
Harriette Boucher12 January 2026 09:32
US compares a possible ban on X to Putin’s Russia
A key determine in Donald Trump’s administration has struck out on the UK’s threats in opposition to X, evaluating a possible ban to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
In a sequence of posts on X, Sarah Rogers, the US State Department’s under-secretary for public diplomacy, stated the UK was “contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images”.
Elon Musk, the proprietor of X, additionally hit out in opposition to the threats, claiming the UK authorities wished “any excuse for censorship”.
Since we all know the British authorities needs to verify ladies are secure each on-line and offline (thus considering a Russia-style @X ban, to guard them from bikini photos), right here’s extra from Wikipedia on cousin marriage — and its connection to honor killing. pic.twitter.com/MIjxbZQOBX
— Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers (@UnderSecPD) January 11, 2026
Harriette Boucher12 January 2026 09:25
Government to announce subsequent steps over X deepfake row
The authorities is because of announce its subsequent steps over its row with X, after expertise secretary Liz Kendall stated she would assist a call from Ofcom to ban the social media platform within the UK.
Elon Musk has confronted public backlash after his Grok AI was getting used to generate sexually specific photos of girls and kids.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated: “Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent.
“It is an insult and totally unacceptable for Grok to still allow this if you’re willing to pay for it. I expect Ofcom to use the full legal powers Parliament has given them.”
Harriette Boucher12 January 2026 08:54
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/x-uk-ban-grok-labour-elon-musk-latest-news-b2898618.html