Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a stark warning to Elon Musk's social media platform X, threatening direct government intervention to "control" its AI chatbot, Grok. This follows reports that the tool has been used to generate sexualised images of women and children.
"Absolutely Disgusting": Starmer's Ultimatum to X
Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday 12 January 2026, Sir Keir condemned the actions of Grok and X as "absolutely disgusting and shameful." He delivered a clear ultimatum to the tech giant, stating that if the platform cannot regulate its own AI, the government will step in.
"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," the Prime Minister declared. He accused the platform of a "total distortion of priorities" for protecting abusive users over vulnerable women and children.
Ofcom Launches Formal Investigation
The controversy centres on Grok's image generation function, which has been manipulated to create non-consensual intimate imagery. This includes digitally removing people's clothes or placing them in suggestive poses. While the feature is now restricted to paying subscribers after a global outcry, some free users have reportedly still been able to produce such content.
In response, the media regulator Ofcom launched a formal investigation on Monday morning. It will examine whether X has failed in its legal duties under the Online Safety Act. Ofcom stated it is probing "deeply concerning reports" that Grok has been used to create content that may amount to intimate image abuse or child sexual abuse material.
New Laws Fast-Tracked to Criminalise AI Abuse
Just hours before Sir Keir's latest comments, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced she was accelerating new legislation. She confirmed that creating non-consensual intimate images with AI will become a criminal offence from this week, with requesting such images also being made illegal.
Ms Kendall is speeding up the implementation of relevant sections of the Data (Use and Access) Act, which was passed last year. Furthermore, the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill will make it an offence for companies to supply tools specifically designed to create such abusive imagery.
Downing Street Considers Ban as Musk Accuses UK of "Censorship"
Downing Street has indicated that "all options are on the table," including potentially ending government use of the X platform if it fails to address concerns. This stance follows a weekend exchange where Sir Keir said X needed to "get a grip" on Grok, and a Downing Street spokesperson labelled the restriction to paid users as "insulting."
Elon Musk hit back, claiming the UK government "wants any excuse for censorship." This sets the stage for a significant clash between the new government and one of the world's most prominent tech billionaires over the boundaries of AI regulation and online safety.
Sir Keir concluded his remarks by reaffirming his government's commitment: "We'll stand up for the vulnerable against the powerful." The situation presents a major early test for the UK's Online Safety Act and the government's resolve to enforce it against global tech platforms.
