Elon Musk’s social media platform X has become embroiled in fresh controversy after its AI chatbot, Grok, was found to allow users to create and edit non-consensual sexualised images of real people.
The discovery has triggered global outrage, drawing condemnation from women’s rights organisations and senior political figures, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In response, the platform is now under investigation by the UK media regulator Ofcom, with the Prime Minister stressing that “all options are on the table” regarding X’s future in Britain.
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed swift action had been taken:
“We urgently made contact with X on Monday and set a firm deadline of Friday to explain themselves, to which we have received a response.”
“We’re now undertaking an expedited assessment as a matter of urgency and will provide further updates shortly.”
X limits AI tools to paying subscribers
In an attempt to stem backlash, X has restricted Grok’s image generation and editing tools to paying subscribers only, meaning users must provide personal details – such as name, address, and a bank account– in order to access the feature.
However, critics argue this move falls well short of adequately protecting women and children from exploitation.
Downing Street has branded the response “insulting” to survivors of sexual violence, while political parties across the spectrum have called for tougher action.
The Liberal Democrats have gone as far to demand a temporary effective ban on X until a full investigation into the site is complete.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, while condemning the misuse of Grok, has stopped short of supporting a ban, framing such a move as an attack on free speech.
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The response from across the Atlantic
While anger in the UK has been widespread, reactions in the United States have been notably hostile to the British stance.
Elon Musk has denounced any discussion of banning X as an assault on free speech and an attempt at political censorship.
Such rhetoric is consistent with the platform’s increasingly adversarial posture towards mainstream journalism, with X reportedly responding to media requests for comment by dismissing them as “legacy media lies.”
More concerning, however, has been the response from US Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna.
Luna warned “there will be consequences” should the UK proceed with a ban, claiming she is drafting legislation to sanction Britain in response.
On X, she wrote: “If Starmer is successful in banning X in Britain, I will move forward with legislation that is currently being drafted to sanction not only Starmer, but Britain as a whole.”
The threat echoes recent precedent, with the US imposing sanctions on Brazil and the judge who ordered a temporary ban of the app in 2024.
Luna, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is a close ally of President Donald Trump, holds a significant position within the current administration.
Whether such threats are credible or merely an attempt to intimidate the UK into backing down, they raise serious questions about Britain’s technological sovereignty.
US-based tech giants have steadily expanded their influence, underscoring how the UK is increasingly constrained in its ability to regulate platforms operating within its own borders.
One point of contention has been the UK’s Digital Services Tax, which raises around £800 million annually from companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple through a 2% levy on revenues.
The tax has faced sustained pressure from Washington, with officials threatening higher trade tariffs and reduced investment unless changes are made.
The future of AI regulation
The controversy surrounding Grok is not unique to X but symptomatic of the wider AI industry.
As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful and more accessible, so too does the potential for misuse by bad actors.
This raises fundamental questions for the governments of today: how far are they willing to go to regulate the defining technology of the 21st century?
Public outrage over the abuse of Grok’s AI tools reflects the growing unease with the pace of technological development, the widespread access to it, and the lack of effective safeguards.
Faced with mounting pressure, governments may feel compelled to act decisively, not only to protect citizens, but to prevent public backlash from spilling on to them.
The outcome of the UK’s standoff with X could therefore set a critical precedent for how democratic states seek to assert control over global tech platforms in the age of AI.
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Adam Peaker 
Newsjustnews writers 
Carmela Calling