No woman or child should fear having their image sexually manipulated - Sunderland MP slams X AI tool Grok
“No woman or child should live in fear of having their image sexually manipulated by technology” - the words of Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson after Ofcom has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X over concerns its AI tool Grok is being used to create sexualised images.
In a statement, the UK watchdog said there had been "deeply concerning reports" of the chatbot being used to create and share undressed images of people, as well as "sexualised images of children".
If found to have broken the law, Ofcom can potentially issue X with a fine of up to 10% of its worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.
If X does not comply, Ofcom can seek a court order to force internet service providers to block access to the site in the UK altogether.
Commenting on the situation Mr Atkinson said: “No woman or child should live in fear of having their image sexually manipulated by technology. But that in recent days that is disgracefully what has been happening: the 'Grok' tool on X has been used to create and share degrading, non-consensual intimate deep-fakes.
The Government has today (January 13) confirmed it will bring into force a law which will make it illegal to create non-consensual intimate AI images.
The Government also plans to unveil legislation to make it illegal to supply online tools, such as Grok, to create such images.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer warned X could lose the "right to self regulate", adding “if X cannot control Grok, we will”.
It’s a stance supported by Mr Atkinson who said: “Today in Parliament the Government set out its response, confirming that the regulator Ofcom is now formally investigating X's compliance with the Online Safety Act.
“The Government is also using powers under that Act to bring into force the new offence of creating non-consensual intimate images. If platforms like X will not take the steps necessary to make their services safe, then I support the Government acting to do so, in line with the law of the land.
“In an age of AI, tackling abuse of women and girls means protecting them online as we do offline.”
The Sunderland Central MP recently led a debate in Parliament on the Online Safety Act.
Mr Atkinson added: “Implementing it proportionately is not about restricting free speech - it is about stopping abuse like this and reducing harm.”
Ofcom will now examine whether X has failed to take down illegal content quickly when it became aware of it, and taken "appropriate steps" to prevent people in the UK from seeing it.
Responding to the situation, an X spokesperson said: “Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.".
X owner Elon Musk later said the UK government wanted "any excuse for censorship" in response to a post questioning why other AI platforms were not being looked at.