Overview
- Ofcom said it contacted X on Jan. 5, received a response by a Jan. 9 deadline, and after an expedited review opened a formal investigation on Jan. 12.
- The regulator will examine X’s risk assessments, child-safety measures, removal of illegal content, and age assurance, with potential penalties of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue and possible court-ordered blocking or payment cut-offs.
- X restricted Grok’s image-editing features to paying, verified users and said it removes illegal content and suspends offenders, though access via Grok’s separate app and website persists.
- Malaysia and Indonesia have temporarily blocked Grok, French and Indian authorities have sought action or explanations, and EU officials ordered preservation of Grok-related documents.
- UK leaders condemned the images as unlawful, the technology secretary addressed Parliament on the issue, new UK rules criminalising the creation of sexual deepfakes take effect this week, and Elon Musk denounced the government’s stance as censorship.