• UK may ban X over digital safety violations
• Ofcom launches rapid investigation into AI chatbot Grok for image manipulation

UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would support regulator Ofcom if it decides to block access to Elon Musk’s social media platform X in the UK due to non-compliance with online safety laws.

Ofcom stated that it is urgently deciding on action regarding X’s AI chatbot Grok, after it digitally altered and exposed people’s images without their consent when tagged on the platform.

X recently restricted the use of this image feature to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.

However, the UK Prime Minister’s Office described the change as “insulting” to victims of sexual violence.

Musk responded on X, claiming the UK government “looks for any excuse for censorship,” in reply to questions about why other AI platforms were not being investigated.

Kendall said: “Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent.”

She added: “I, and more importantly the public, expect Ofcom to issue an update on next steps within days, not weeks.”

The minister explained that the Online Safety Act grants “the authority to block access to services in the UK if they refuse to comply with the law,” adding that “Ofcom will have our full support if it decides to use these powers.”

Ofcom said it contacted X on Monday and set a strict deadline to respond by Friday, which has already been met, and added that it is conducting an urgent assessment and will provide updates soon.

Under the law, Ofcom’s powers include seeking a court order to prevent any third party from helping X raise funds or access the platform in the UK if the company refuses to comply, though these measures have not yet been widely tested.