Generating sexual images of individuals without their consent, including through artificial intelligence, will soon be classified as a criminal offence in the United Kingdom. Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Science and Technology, announced this significant development on Monday, following a public outcry over inappropriate images created using Elon Musk‘s Grok AI chatbot.
The controversy erupted when users of Musk’s social media platform, X, began requesting the AI to remove clothing from images of various individuals, including women and minors. Reports indicated that even cabinet ministers fell victim to this disturbing trend. In response, Musk modified the rules governing Grok, restricting access to verified users whose identities are linked to their accounts. He faced criticism for downplaying the issue, even generating a satirical image of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini and framing the limitations on Grok as an attack on free speech.
Legislative Changes Addressing Non-Consensual Content
In the House of Commons, Kendall confirmed that the new criminal offence would be implemented this week, as part of the Data (Use and Access) Act, which Parliament passed last year. The legislation aims to enhance protections against the misuse of technology to create non-consensual images.
Additionally, “nudification” apps, which facilitate the creation of such images, will be banned under the ongoing Crime and Policing Bill. This bill seeks to prevent companies from providing tools that enable the generation of non-consensual content, with Kendall asserting that it tackles the issue “at its source.”
The exact date for the enforcement of the new law was not specified, but its introduction marks a critical step in addressing a growing concern over the misuse of AI technology. In light of the controversy, Starmer warned that if X could not effectively manage Grok, government intervention would follow swiftly. He stated, “If X cannot control Grok, we will – and we’ll do it fast because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate.”
Regulatory Scrutiny and Ongoing Investigations
The UK media regulator, Ofcom, is currently investigating whether X violated laws by failing to adequately protect users from illegal content. Ofcom expressed serious concern over reports indicating that the Grok AI chatbot was used to create and disseminate undressed images, which could be classified as intimate image abuse or pornography. Additionally, there are allegations of the generation of sexualized images of children that may constitute child sexual abuse material.
This situation has catalyzed a broader conversation about the responsibilities of social media platforms in safeguarding users from digital abuse. As the UK government moves forward with legislative changes, the outcomes will likely shape the future of AI-generated content and its regulation.
The push for stricter laws and regulations comes amid increasing recognition of the potential for AI technologies to be misused, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures in the digital landscape.
