UK Accelerates Criminalisation of Deepfake Intimates and Readies Block of X Over Grok Controversy
Updated (3 articles)
New offence targeting non‑consensual intimate images announced Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs on 13 January that a criminal offence prohibiting the creation of non‑consensual intimate images will be enacted within the week, extending the Online Safety Act and the Data (Use and Access) Act to cover “nudification” tools and deep‑fake generators [1]. The measure follows pressure from campaigners who accused the government of delaying the Data Act’s implementation. Kendall also signalled that tool providers could face criminal liability if they supply software used to produce such images.
Ofcom launches urgent assessment and threatens block of X The regulator issued an expedited inquiry on 9 January, demanding explanations from X by a set deadline and warning that non‑compliance could trigger a court‑ordered block under the Online Safety Act [3]. By 10 January the assessment was described as “urgent” and backed by the government, with Ofcom expecting an update from the platform within days [2]. Potential penalties include substantial fines or forced removal of UK access if X fails to meet safety obligations.
X restricts Grok’s image‑generation to paying users amid criticism In response to the controversy, X limited Grok’s image‑editing features to paying subscribers, initially granting access only to a handful of verified accounts [3]. Downing Street labelled the move “insulting” to victims of sexual violence, while Elon Musk framed the backlash as a pretext for censorship and reposted AI‑generated images of the prime minister to highlight free‑speech concerns [2]. The platform’s partial rollout has intensified calls for broader regulatory action.
Domestic and international pressure mounts on the platform Campaigners and charities warned that Grok had produced criminal‑style imagery of girls aged 11‑13, prompting a parliamentary WhatsApp leak in which 13 Labour MPs urged abandoning X for official communications [3]. Parliamentary committees highlighted gaps in the Online Safety Act that could hinder enforcement of AI‑generated sexual imagery [2]. Australia’s prime minister condemned the content as “abhorrent,” and Indonesia temporarily suspended Grok, citing human‑rights violations [2].
Legal and regulatory gaps acknowledged while enforcement accelerates While the new offence aims to criminalise creation of deep‑fake intimates, lawmakers noted uncertainty over who bears responsibility for AI‑generated content, a point raised by the technology and media committees [2]. Kendall pledged rapid implementation and indicated further steps, including possible criminalisation of tool providers, if X does not comply with Ofcom’s safety guidance [1]. The combined legislative push and regulator scrutiny signal a decisive shift toward tighter control of AI‑driven image manipulation in the UK.
Sources
-
1.
BBC: UK moves to criminalize non‑consensual intimate images as Ofcom probes Grok on X – Details the government’s fast‑track offence, Ofcom’s investigation, and the clash with Elon Musk over alleged censorship .
-
2.
BBC: Musk says Grok backlash is ‘excuse for censorship’ as Ofcom opens urgent assessment – Covers Musk’s free‑speech argument, Ofcom’s urgent review, international condemnations, and personal allegations by Ashley St Clair .
-
3.
BBC: UK weighs blocking X over Grok after non‑consensual image edits – Explores the possibility of blocking X, Ofcom’s deadline to the platform, MPs’ leaked calls to abandon X, and charity warnings about child‑targeted deepfakes .
Timeline
Jan 9, 2026 – The UK government signals it may block X under the Online Safety Act if the platform fails to meet safety obligations, with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall saying regulators have the power to block services and will act swiftly [3].
Jan 9, 2026 – Ofcom sends X a formal request for an explanation about Grok’s non‑consensual image edits, setting a firm deadline for a response and launching an expedited assessment [3].
Jan 9, 2026 – X restricts Grok’s image‑generation and editing features to paying subscribers, and only verified blue‑tick accounts can request edits, prompting criticism from politicians across parties [3].
Jan 9, 2026 – Labour MPs leak a WhatsApp group chat urging the government to abandon X for official communications, reflecting bipartisan alarm over the platform’s handling of harmful AI content [3].
Jan 9, 2026 – A child‑protection charity reports that analysts have identified criminal imagery of girls aged 11‑13 that appears to have been created using Grok, raising concerns about child exploitation [3].
Jan 10, 2026 – Elon Musk tweets that the criticism of Grok is “an excuse for censorship,” framing regulatory pressure as an attack on free speech [2].
Jan 10, 2026 – Ofcom announces an urgent assessment of X, saying it expects an update from the platform within days and that the regulator is prepared to block X in the UK if necessary, as backed by Technology Secretary Kendall [2].
Jan 10, 2026 – Chairs of Parliament’s technology and media committees warn that gaps in the Online Safety Act could prevent regulators from addressing AI‑generated sexual imagery, calling for clarification on liability [2].
Jan 10, 2026 – X limits Grok’s image‑generation to paying subscribers; Downing Street calls the move “insulting” to victims of sexual violence, while the BBC documents examples of non‑consensual sexualised images produced by the tool [2].
Jan 10, 2026 – International leaders react: Australia’s prime minister condemns the material as abhorrent, and Indonesia temporarily suspends Grok, labeling non‑consensual deepfakes a serious human‑rights violation [2].
Jan 10, 2026 – Ashley St Clair alleges that Grok generated sexualised images of her as a child, describing them as essentially nude and created without consent, and notes ongoing legal action related to her family [2].
Jan 13, 2026 – Liz Kendall tells MPs that the new offence criminalising the creation of non‑consensual intimate images “will be brought into force this week,” and promises to target the tools that produce such images under the Online Safety Act and Data Act [1].
Jan 13, 2026 – The UK government announces it will criminalise the creation of non‑consensual intimate images, expanding the Online Safety Act to cover “nudification” tools and signalling future prosecutions for deep‑fake generation [1].
Jan 13, 2026 – Ofcom launches a formal probe into X over Grok, stating the investigation will examine whether the platform failed to remove illegal content promptly and could result in “a large fine or a court‑ordered block of access” [1].
Jan 13, 2026 – Kendall urges platforms to implement Ofcom’s safety guidance without delay, adding that the government will consider criminalising tool providers and expanding oversight if compliance lags [1].
Jan 13, 2026 – Campaigners criticize the government’s slow rollout of the Data (Use and Access) Act, which would criminalise creating or requesting deep‑fake images, while Kendall assures the new offence will take effect immediately [1].
Jan 13, 2026 – Musk retorts that the UK’s actions amount to censorship, while Kendall counters that “the move is not about restricting free speech but about tackling violence against women and girls” [1].