Key Points
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said X has started to act in line with British law after concerns over AI-generated deepfake images.
- Ofcom is investigating the platform’s handling of illegal and harmful AI content under the Online Safety Act.
- New legislation criminalising sexual deepfakes will be introduced, and the government may take further action if compliance falters.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Parliament that Elon Musk’s social media platform X has begun acting to comply with UK law following concerns over sexually explicit deepfake images generated by its Grok AI chatbot.
The statement came as Britain’s media regulator Ofcom launched a formal investigation into whether X violated its duty under the Online Safety Act by allowing harmful AI-generated content involving sexualised imagery to circulate on the platform.
Starmer said he had been informed that X was adjusting its operations to align with legal requirements, though the government stands ready to take additional measures if needed, including potential enforcement action or new regulation.
Technology Minister Liz Kendall announced that a new law criminalising the creation of sexual deepfakes is expected to come into force this week, classifying such AI-generated material as a serious offence.
Ofcom’s probe focuses on whether X failed to sufficiently protect users — especially children — from illegal content, which could include non-consensual deepfake images shared or generated on the platform.
X previously said it restricted image editing features to paying users in response to concerns, but regulators and lawmakers have expressed that more robust steps are required.
Starmer’s comments highlight growing government scrutiny of generative AI tools and social media platforms to ensure compliance with UK safety standards and protect individuals from harm online.
