The United Kingdom is implementing sweeping legal measures to combat the creation and distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery generated by artificial intelligence. This decisive action comes amid mounting international concerns regarding Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot, which has been implicated in producing sexually explicit deepfakes without subjects’ consent.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced in Parliament that the government will criminalize both the creation of such imagery and the provision of tools specifically designed for this purpose. Addressing the Commons, Kendall characterized these AI-generated depictions of women and children in states of undress as “weapons of abuse” rather than “harmless images.”
The regulatory landscape is rapidly evolving as communications regulator Ofcom launched a formal investigation into X (formerly Twitter) regarding “deeply concerning reports” about Grok’s image manipulation capabilities. The investigation will assess whether X failed to promptly remove illegal content and implement adequate protective measures for UK users. Potential penalties for violations include fines of up to 10% of global revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater, with possible site blocking in the UK for non-compliance.
Kendall emphasized the urgency of the situation, demanding Ofcom establish a clear timeline for resolution rather than allowing the investigation to extend for “months and months.”
The legal framework builds upon existing legislation, including provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act passed in June 2025 that had not been enforced until now. Additionally, Kendall announced plans to designate non-consensual intimate imagery as a “priority offence” under the Online Safety Act and to criminalize nudification apps through the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill.
“The content which has circulated on X is vile. It’s not just an affront to decent society, it is illegal,” Kendall stated. “Let me be crystal clear – under the Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images of people without their consent, or threatening to share them, including pictures of people in their underwear, is a criminal offence for individuals and for platforms.”
The technology secretary emphasized dual accountability, noting that responsibilities extend beyond individual behavior to include platform accountability. She called on technology companies to immediately implement safety measures recommended by Ofcom to protect women and girls online.
Elon Musk responded to the developments by accusing the UK government of seeking “any excuse for censorship,” a claim Kendall directly refuted: “This is not, as some would claim, about restricting freedom of speech. It is about tackling violence against women and girls.”
The investigation follows confirmed reports of widespread image manipulation on X, with one woman reporting over 100 sexualized images created without her consent. Ofcom’s examination will include assessment of age verification systems designed to prevent children from accessing pornographic content.
This UK action coincides with international measures, as both Malaysia and Indonesia temporarily blocked access to Grok’s image creation feature over the weekend. An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed the investigation represents a “matter of the highest priority” though no specific timeline was provided.