Story Highlight
– Downing Street condemns X’s AI tool paywall decision.
– Anger over manipulated images of women and children.
– Grok limits image generation to paying subscribers only.
– Government discusses potential actions against X’s policies.
– Ministers evaluating social media use and safety concerns.
Full Story
Downing Street has expressed strong disapproval of X’s recent decision to limit access to its AI image generation tool to paying subscribers, characterizing the move as an insult. The government’s stance follows significant backlash after the tool, associated with Grok, which is part of X’s offerings, was reportedly used to manipulate thousands of images, including those of women and children, resulting in exploitative and inappropriate content.
In a statement on X, owned by Elon Musk, Grok announced that the functionality to create and edit images would be restricted to users who subscribe and provide personal information, posing potential risks of identification if misused.
A spokesperson for Downing Street remarked that this action is unacceptable, reiterating, “The move simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service.” They emphasized that such a strategy fails to address the issue and is particularly disrespectful to victims of sexual violence and misogyny. The spokesperson urged for immediate action, stating, “You heard the Prime Minister yesterday. He was abundantly clear that X needs to act, and needs to act now.”
The spokesperson further noted the discrepancy in responsiveness, comparing it to how any other media entity would be compelled to remove unlawful content from public advertising swiftly to avoid backlash.
When inquired whether there were plans to sever ties with X, the spokesperson indicated that “all options are on the table,” and affirmed support for any actions taken by Ofcom, the UK’s media regulatory body.
During a radio appearance, Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party and a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, acknowledged ongoing discussions about the situation. She mentioned that while there are no current plans for the government to withdraw from X, individual ministers are considering their own positions. Turley stated, “It’s really, really important that we tackle this. Those conversations are ongoing across government,” adding that the use of social media among politicians is under scrutiny.
When asked about her personal stance on remaining on the platform, she revealed, “I’ve thought about that a lot over the past few months.” Turley also noted that discussions regarding the Labour Party’s engagement with the platform are taking place to ensure a safe environment for communication.
