The U.K. signaled it could block access to X if the platform fails to comply with the country’s Online Safety Act, after the site’s Grok AI tool was used to create sexualized, non-consensual images. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would support Ofcom should it exercise powers to restrict X in Britain, as the regulator conducts an expedited assessment and considers “business disruption measures,” including moves to limit the platform’s ability to raise funds or be accessed in the U.K. X has limited certain image-editing features to paying subscribers, a step Downing Street criticized as “insulting” to victims. Politicians across parties condemned the incidents, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the behavior “disgraceful,” while Nigel Farage denounced a potential ban as an attack on free speech. The Internet Watch Foundation said analysts had found AI-generated imagery that appeared to involve children, underscoring broader concerns about deepfakes and platform governance. Ofcom said it urgently contacted X and set a Friday deadline for an explanation, with further updates expected shortly.
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