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Elon Musk’s X is acting to comply with UK safety laws and the government “won’t back down” in its row over the sex images produced by the platform’s Grok AI tool, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The prime minister told PMQs that the actions of X are “disgusting” and “shameful” and the decision to turn its AI image editing tool into a premium service is “horrific”.
He said the government is “absolutely determined to take action” and that if X doesn’t act, Ofcom, the media regulator, “has our full backing”.
Responding to a question from Labour MP Emily Darlington, Sir Keir said: “To update the House, I have been informed this morning that X is acting to ensure full compliance with UK law.
“If so, that is welcome, but we’re not going to back down, and they must act.
“We will take the necessary measures. We will strengthen existing laws and prepare for legislation if it needs to go further, and Ofcom will continue its independent investigation.”
Ofcom launched an investigation into X on Monday following mounting concerns over reports Grok was allowing users to manipulate images of women and children to sexualise them.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the watchdog would have ministers’ full support to take action against X, including effectively banning the platform in the UK, if the company did not make changes.
She condemned the platform’s decision to limit some use of Grok’s image generating function to X’s paying subscribers, saying the platform was “monetising abuse”.
And Ms Kendall said legislation making it a criminal offence to create or request the creation of non-consensual intimate images would come into force this week following the Grok outcry.
Mr Musk, the site’s billionaire owner, initially claimed the threats were part of an effort to censor X.
