Technology Secretary statement on xAI's Grok image generation and editing tool
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall calls for swift action after reports xAI's Grok tool continues to allow generation of intimate deepfake images.
The Technology Secretary comments on the changes xAI has implemented to its chatbot overnight, and government action to stamp out this form of abuse.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent. It is an insult and totally unacceptable for Grok to still allow this if you’re willing to pay for it. I expect Ofcom to use the full legal powers Parliament has given them.
I, and more importantly the public - would expect to see Ofcom update on next steps in days not weeks.
I would remind xAI that the Online Safety Act Includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law. If Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support.
We will be banning nudification apps in the Crime and Policing Bill which is in parliament now.
We are in the coming weeks bringing in to force powers to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent.
I expect all platforms to abide by Ofcom’s new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) guidance and if they do not, I am prepared to go further.
We are as determined to ensure women and girls are safe online as we are to ensure they are safe in the real world. No excuses.
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